Substance profile
Nickel Cyanide
Nickel Cyanide is a YELLOW-BROWN with a weak characteristic odor of cyanide.
01 · Identification
What Nickel Cyanide is
Nickel Cyanide is a YELLOW-BROWN with a weak characteristic odor of cyanide. Its molecular formula is C2N2Ni and its molecular weight is 110.73 g/mol. It melts at 200 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as carcinogens.
Other names for Nickel Cyanide
- nickel dicyanide
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 |
|---|---|
| H350i | May cause cancer by inhalation. |
| H372 | Causes 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>. |
| H334 | May cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled. |
| H317 | May cause an allergic skin reaction. |
| H400 | Very toxic to aquatic life. |
| H410 | Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects. |
Supplemental EU statements: EUH032
Precautionary statements: P260, P261, P270, P272, P273, P280, P313, P314, P333, P391, P501
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Nickel Cyanide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | Decomposes. (USCG, 1999) | decomposes | CAMEO |
| Melting point | 200 °C (392 °F) | above this value | HSDB |
| Density | 2.393 g/cm³ | HSDB | |
| 2.4 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | CAMEO | |
| 2.393 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | DOE PAC | |
| Solubility | Apple-green powder. Insol in water. Slightly soluble in dil acids, freely in alkali cyanides, in ammonia, and in ammonium carbonate. | Tetrahydrate | HSDB |
| SLIGHTLY SOL IN DILUTE ACIDS | NICKEL CYANIDE TETRAHYDRATE | HSDB | |
| INSOL IN COLD OR HOT WATER | HSDB | ||
| Flash point | Not Applicable. Not flammable. (USCG, 1999) | CAMEO | |
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | Not Applicable. Not flammable. (USCG, 1999) | CAMEO | |
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | Not Applicable. Not flammable. (USCG, 1999) | CAMEO |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Nickel Cyanide
Storage conditions
Storage temp: Ambient
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Heating magnesium with nickel cyanide causes the magnesium to become incandescent.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
NICKEL CYANIDE is thermally unstable and easily oxidized. Weakly basic. Liberates flammable and lethally poisonous hydrogen cyanide gas on contact with acids or acid fumes. Undergoes violent reactions with fluorine, hypochlorites, nitric acid, nitrates, nitrites. Undergoes an explosive reaction if melted with nitrites or chlorates (at about 450 °C). Emits highly toxic cyanide fumes when heated to decomposition. [Lewis, 3rd ed., 1993, p. 360, 912]. Undergoes an incandescent reaction if heated with magnesium [Mellor, 1940, vol. 4, p. 271].
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Nickel Cyanide in the storage compatibility matrix →