5890. Mercuric Thiocyanate

Nomenclature

CAS number: 592-85-8
Mercuric sulfocyanate; mercuric sulfocyanide.
C2HgN2S2; mol wt 316.75.
C 7.58%, Hg 63.33%, N 8.84%, S 20.25%.
Hg(SCN)2.

Description and 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.