MERCURIC THIOCYANATE Property

Melting point:

165 °C (dec.) (lit.)

Density 

3.71 g/mL at 25 °C (lit.)

Flash point:

120 °C

storage temp. 

Store at RT.

form 

Powder

color 

White to pale yellow

Water Solubility 

Soluble in dilute hydrochloric acid, potassium cyanide and ammonia. Slightly soluble in alcohol and ether. Insoluble in water.

Sensitive 

Hygroscopic

Merck 

14,5890

BRN 

3561344

Stability:

Stable. Incompatible with strong acids. May be light or moisture sensitive.

CAS DataBase Reference

592-85-8(CAS DataBase Reference)

EPA Substance Registry System

Mercuric thiocyanate (592-85-8)

Safety

Hazard Codes 

T+,N,Xn

Risk Statements 

26/27/28-32-33-50/53-20/21/22

Safety Statements 

13-28-45-60-61-46-36/37

RIDADR 

UN 1646 6.1/PG 2

WGK Germany 

3

RTECS 

XL1550000

F 

8

TSCA 

Yes

HazardClass 

6.1

PackingGroup 

II

HS Code 

28521000

Hazardous Substances Data

592-85-8(Hazardous Substances Data)

Hazard and Precautionary Statements (GHS)

Symbol(GHS)

Signal word

Danger

Hazard statements

H373May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure

H410Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects

Precautionary statements

P262Do not get in eyes, on skin, or on clothing.

P273Avoid release to the environment.

P280Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection.

P314Get medical advice/attention if you feel unwell.

MERCURIC THIOCYANATE Chemical Properties,Usage,Production

Chemical Properties

Mercuric thiocyanate is an inorganic chemical substance. It is a stable solid at room temperature, and depending upon the purity, it appears as odourless white crystalline powder or grey. It is insoluble in water and denser than water and sinks in water. On decomposition, mercuric thiocyanate releases hazardous substances such as cyanide vapours, vapours of mercury, oxides of nitrogen (NO, NO2), and oxides of sulphur (SO2, SO3). Mercury thiocyanate has limited uses in chemical synthesis.

Chemical Properties

Mercury thiocyanate is a white, odorless powder.

Uses

Mercury(II) thiocyanate is used as a precursor to potassium tris(thiocyanato)mercurate(II) and cesium tris(thiocyanato)mercurate(II). It is also used in the determination of chloride ions in water by UV-visible spectroscopy. Further, it acts as a catalyst for the addition of thiocyanic acid to alkynes.

Uses

For Pharaoh's serpents (fireworks); intensifier in photography.

Air & Water Reactions

Insoluble in water.

Reactivity Profile

MERCURIC THIOCYANATE decomposes into its elements at about 165°C. Burns readily in air to generate a coil of cohesive ash resembling a serpent (hence used in a firework: Pharaoh's serpents). Swells up to many times its original volume if heated [USCG, 1999]. Soluble in dilute hydrochloric acid [Merck]. Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents.

Hazard

Highly toxic by ingestion, inhalation, and skin absorption.

Health Hazard

Mercuric thiocyanate causes severe eye and skin irritation with possible burns and causes digestive and respiratory tract irritation with possible burns. It may impair fertility, may cause harm to the unborn child, is harmful if inhaled, may cause allergic skin reaction, may cause kidney damage, may cause CNS effects, is light sensitive, and is a severe marine pollutant. Contact with acids liberates very toxic gas. The target organs include kidneys, CNS, reproductive system, eyes, and skin.

Safety Profile

A poison by ingestion and intraperitoneal routes. Moderately toxic by skin contact. Thermally unstable and decomposition may be vigorous. When heated to decomposition it emits very toxic fumes of Hg, NOx, SOx, and CN-. See also MERCURY COMPOUNDS and CYANATES.

Potential Exposure

Mercury thiocyanate is used in photography and fireworks.

Shipping

UN1646 Mercury thiocyanate, Hazard Class: 6.1; Labels: 6.1-Poisonous materials.

Purification Methods

Recrystallise it from H2O, and it can give various crystal forms depending on conditions. Its solubility in H2O is 0.069% at 25o, but is more soluble at higher temperatures. It decomposes to Hg above 165o. Poisonous. [Mason & Forgeng J Phys Chem 35 1121 1931, Birckenbach & Kolb Chem Ber 68 919 1935.]

Incompatibilities

Incompatible with oxidizers (chlorates, nitrates, peroxides, permanganates, perchlorates, chlorine, bromine, fluorine, etc.); contact may cause fires or explosions. Keep away from alkaline materials, strong bases, strong acids, oxoacids, epoxides. Mercury thiocyanate is sensitive to heat; expands to many times its original volume and then decomposes at freezing/melting point forming toxic fumes of sulfur oxides, mercury cyanide, and nitrogen oxides. Contact with acid or acid fumes causes release of toxic mercury and cyanide vapors. Incompatible with chlorine, reducing agents such as hydrides, sulfides

Waste Disposal

Small amounts may be destroyed by alkaline hydrolysis. Admixture with alkali can be followed by soil burial. Larger quantities can be disposed of by incineration in admixture with acetone or xylene and using effluent gas scrubbing. Do not reuse empty container; proper disposal required.