Title: Calcium Cyanamide
CAS Registry Number: 156-62-7
Additional Names: Calcium carbimide; "cyanamide"; nitrolime
Molecular Formula: CCaN2
Molecular Weight: 80.10
Percent Composition: C 14.99%, Ca 50.03%, N 34.97%
Line Formula: NºCN=Ca
Literature References: Prepn: Kastens, McBurney, Ind. Eng. Chem. 43, 1020 (1951); Franck, Heimann, Angew. Chem. 44, 372 (1931); Owen, Trans. Faraday Soc. 57, 670 (1961); Dedman, Owen, ibid. 678.
Properties: Commercial grades may occur as grayish-black lumps of powder. While pure calcium cyanamide is nonvolatile and noncombustible, commercial grades may contain small amounts of calcium carbide which will produce acetylene in containers and processing vessels. Other contaminants are carbon, Ca(OH)2, CaO, and CaCO3. Pure calcium cyanamide occurs as glistening, hexagonal crystals belonging to the rhombohedral system. mp ~1340°; d420 2.29. Sublimes at 1150-1200°. Heat of formn from CaC2 + N2: -69.0 kcal/mole (25°). Heat of fusion 1.29 cal/g. Essentially insol in water, but undergoes partial hydrolysis to the sol calcium hydrogen cyanamide, a source of cyanamide ions. No known solvent will bring about soln without decompn.
Melting point: mp ~1340°
Density: d420 2.29
CAUTION: Potential symptoms of overexposure are irritation of eyes, skin, respiratory system; headache, vertigo, rapid breathing, low blood pressure, nausea, vomiting; skin burns and sensitization; cough; Antabuse-like effects. See NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards (DHHS/NIOSH 97-140, 1997) p 46.
Use: As fertilizer, defoliant, herbicide, pesticide; manuf and refining of iron; manuf of calcium cyanide, melamine, dicyandiamide.
Therap-Cat-Vet: Has been used as an anthelmintic. |