Mercury(II) thiocyanate

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mercury(II) thiocyanate
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 Image:nfpa_h3.pngImage:nfpa_f0.pngImage:nfpa_r0.png
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.


[edit] External links