591-89-9 Usage
Description
Mercuric potassium cyanide, also known as potassium mercuric cyanide, is a colorless crystalline solid that is denser than water. It is toxic by inhalation and ingestion, and it produces toxic oxides of nitrogen during combustion. MERCURIC POTASSIUM CYANIDE is soluble in water and alcohol, making it a versatile chemical for various applications.
Uses
Used in Manufacturing Mirrors:
Mercuric potassium cyanide is used as a protective agent in the manufacture of mirrors to prevent the silver coating from becoming yellow. Its chemical properties help maintain the aesthetic quality and longevity of the mirror's reflective surface.
Used as a Reagent in Testing for Free Acids:
In the chemical industry, mercuric potassium cyanide serves as a reagent for testing the presence of free acids. Its ability to react with acids makes it a valuable tool for quality control and ensuring the purity of various chemical products.
Air & Water Reactions
Soluble in water. Rapidly decomposes in presence of acids with generation of hydrogen cyanide, a flammable poison gas.
Reactivity Profile
MERCURIC POTASSIUM CYANIDE is rapidly decomposed by acids to evolve hydrogen cyanide, a flammable poisonous gas. May tend to explosive instability. Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents. Fusion with metal chlorates, perchlorates, nitrates or nitrites can cause violent explosions [Bretherick 1979. p. 101]. Contact with ammonia may be explosive.
Hazard
Highly toxic by ingestion, inhalation, and
skin absorption.
Health Hazard
TOXIC; inhalation, ingestion or contact (skin, eyes) with vapors, dusts or substance may cause severe injury, burns or death. Reaction with water or moist air will release toxic, corrosive or flammable gases. Reaction with water may generate much heat that will increase the concentration of fumes in the air. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may be corrosive and/or toxic and cause pollution.
Fire Hazard
Non-combustible, substance itself does not burn but may decompose upon heating to produce corrosive and/or toxic fumes. Vapors may accumulate in confined areas (basement, tanks, hopper/tank cars etc.). Substance will react with water (some violently), releasing corrosive and/or toxic gases and runoff. Contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas. Containers may explode when heated or if contaminated with water.
Safety Profile
A poison. May explode
on contact with ammonia. When heated to
decomposition it emits very toxic fumes of
NOx, Hg, K2O, and CN-. See also
MERCURY COMPOUNDS and
CYANIDE.
Check Digit Verification of cas no
The CAS Registry Mumber 591-89-9 includes 6 digits separated into 3 groups by hyphens. The first part of the number,starting from the left, has 3 digits, 5,9 and 1 respectively; the second part has 2 digits, 8 and 9 respectively.
Calculate Digit Verification of CAS Registry Number 591-89:
(5*5)+(4*9)+(3*1)+(2*8)+(1*9)=89
89 % 10 = 9
So 591-89-9 is a valid CAS Registry Number.
InChI:InChI=1/4CN.Hg.2K/c4*1-2;;;/q;;;;-2;2*+1/rC4HgN4.2K/c6-1-5(2-7,3-8)4-9;;/q-2;2*+1
