Mercury(II) thiocyanate
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Mercury(II) thiocyanate | |
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Image:Mercury(II) thiocyanate.jpg | |
General | |
Other names | mercuric thiocyanate mercuric sulfocyanate |
Molecular formula | Hg(SCN)2 |
Molar mass | 316.79 g/mol |
Appearance | white, off-white powder |
CAS number | [592-85-8] |
Properties | |
Density and phase | 4.00 g/cm3, solid |
Solubility in water | negligible |
Melting point | 165°C |
Boiling point | ? |
Vapor density | 11.0 |
Hazards | |
EU classification | not listed |
NFPA 704 | |
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) Infobox disclaimer and references |
Mercury(II) thiocyanate (Hg(SCN)2) is a chemical compound. It was formerly used in pyrotechnics for the long snake-like ash that forms when a pellet of this compound, often with a small amount of a sugar such as glucose added to serve as supplemental fuel, is ignited. This is extremely dangerous because it generates a large amount of mercury vapor, which should be avoided at all costs.
Mercury(II) thiocyanate is made by reacting a mercury(II) salt (such as mercury(II) chloride) with a thiocyanate salt (such as potassium thiocyanate) in solution in water, producing a precipitate of mercury(II) thiocyanate.
Conditions/substances to avoid are: moisture, heat, light, aluminum and strong acids.