Substance profile
Mercury difulminate
Mercury difulminate is a grey, pale brown or white crystalline solid.
01 · Identification
What Mercury difulminate is
Mercury difulminate is a grey, pale brown or white crystalline solid. Its molecular formula is C2HgN2O2 and its molecular weight is 284.63 g/mol.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as flammable agents - 3rd degree.
Other names for Mercury difulminate
- mercuric fulminate
- fulminate of mercury
02 · GHS classification
Hazards and label elements
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H200 | Unstable explosives. |
| H331 | Toxic if inhaled. |
| H311 | Toxic in contact with skin. |
| H301 | Toxic if swallowed. |
| H373 | May cause damage to organs <or state all organs affected, if known> through prolonged or repeated exposure <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
| H400 | Very toxic to aquatic life. |
| H410 | Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects. |
Precautionary statements: P210, P260, P270, P271, P273, P280, P301, P302, P304, P310, P314, P330, P352, P391, P501
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Mercury difulminate properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting point | Explodes | HSDB | |
| Density | 4.42 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB |
| Solubility | Soluble in alcohol, ammonium hydroxide, and hot water; slightly soluble in cold water | HSDB | |
| In water, 100 mg/L at 15.5 °C | at 15.5 °C | HSDB | |
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | An explosive sensitive to flame, heat, impact, friction, intense radiation, or contact with sulfuric acid. Self-explodes. | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Mercury difulminate
Storage conditions
Explodes readily when dry, keep moist till use.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Incompatible with sulfuric acid.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
Contact with sulfuric acid causes explosion, [Urbanski, 1967, vol. 3, 135, 149]. Aqueous ammonia and Hg react to form an explosive solid, likely a fulminate. (Thodos, G. Amer. Inst. Chen. Engrs. J., 1964, 10, 274.).
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Mercury difulminate in the storage compatibility matrix →