Mercury(II) cyanide

Agent Name
Mercury(II) cyanide
CAS Number
592-04-1
Formula
C2-Hg-N2
Major Category
Metals
Mercury(II) cyanide formula graphical representation
Synonyms
Cianurina; Cyanure de mercure [French]; Dicyanomercury; Hydrargyrum cyanatum; Mercuric cyanide; Mercurius cyanatus; Mercury cyanide (Hg(CN)2); Mercury dicyanide; [ChemIDplus] UN1636
Category
Mercury Compounds, Inorganic
Description
Colorless to white powder that darkens with light exposure; [Merck Index] Soluble in cold water (9.3 g/100 ml); [Sullivan, p. 707]
Sources/Uses
Use in antiseptic soaps, photography, and to make cyanogen gas; [HSDB]
Comments
Can cause both cyanide and mercury poisoning; [HSDB] Toxic by skin absorption, inhalation, and ingestion; [CAMEO] See "Mercury, inorganic compounds" and the linked occupational disease. See "CYANIDES."
Biomedical References

Exposure Assessment

Skin Designation (ACGIH)
Yes
TLV (ACGIH)
0.025 mg/m3, as Hg
PEL (OSHA)
0.1 mg/m3, as Hg (5 mg/m3, as CN)
MAK
0.02 mg/m3, as Hg, inhalable fraction (2 mg/m3, as CN, inhalable fraction)
IDLH (NIOSH)
10 mg/m3, as Hg
NFPA
will not burn

Adverse Effects

Neurotoxin
Sensorimotor
Nephrotoxin
Yes
ACGIH Carcinogen
Not Classifiable
Other Poison
Chemical Asphyxiant

Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: