Title: Mercuric Thiocyanate
CAS Registry Number: 592-85-8
Additional Names: Mercuric sulfocyanate; mercuric sulfocyanide
Molecular Formula: C2HgN2S2
Molecular Weight: 316.75
Percent Composition: C 7.58%, Hg 63.33%, N 8.84%, S 20.25%
Line Formula: Hg(SCN)2
Literature References: Prepd from Hg(NO3)2 + KSCN: Peters, Z. Anorg. Allg. Chem. 77, 157 (1912).
Properties: Odorless powder. When crystalline, usually in radially arranged needles. Poisonous! When heated it swells up to many times its original vol, decomposing finally into mercury, nitrogen, etc., at about 165°. Slightly sol in cold water (0.069 g/100 ml H2O at 25°), more sol in boiling water with decompn; sol in dil HCl, in solns of alkali cyanides, chlorides. Protect from light.
Use: For Pharaoh's serpents (fireworks); intensifier in photography. |