Mercury(II) fulminate

Mercury(II) fulminate
Names
IUPAC name
Mercury(II) fulminate
Systematic IUPAC name
Dioxycyanomercury
Other names
Fulminated Mercury
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChEBI
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.010.053 Edit this at Wikidata
UNII
  • InChI=1S/2CNO.Hg/c2*1-2-3; checkY
    Key: MHWLNQBTOIYJJP-UHFFFAOYSA-N checkY
  • InChI=1/2CNO.Hg/c2*1-2-3;/rC2HgN2O2/c6-4-1-3-2-5-7
    Key: MHWLNQBTOIYJJP-HZIBCBEIAJ
  • [O-][N+]#C[Hg]C#[N+][O-]
Properties
C2N2O2Hg
Molar mass 284.624 g/mol
Appearance Grey, pale brown, or white crystalline solid
Density 4.42 g/cm3
Melting point 160 °C (320 °F; 433 K)
Boiling point 356.6 °C (673.9 °F; 629.8 K)
slightly soluble
Solubility soluble in ethanol, ammonia
Explosive data
Shock sensitivity High
Friction sensitivity High
Detonation velocity 4250 m/s
Hazards
Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH):
Main hazards
 Highly toxic, shock sensitive explosive
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)
NFPA 704 four-colored diamondHealth 4: Very short exposure could cause death or major residual injury. E.g. VX gasFlammability 1: Must be pre-heated before ignition can occur. Flash point over 93 °C (200 °F). E.g. canola oilInstability 4: Readily capable of detonation or explosive decomposition at normal temperatures and pressures. E.g. nitroglycerinSpecial hazards (white): no code
4
1
4
170 °C (338 °F; 443 K)
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
☒N verify (what is checkY☒N ?)

Mercury(II) fulminate, or Hg(CNO)2, is a primary explosive. It is highly sensitive to friction, heat and shock and is mainly used as a trigger for other explosives in percussion caps and detonators. Mercury(II) cyanate, though its chemical formula is identical, has a different atomic arrangement, making the cyanate and fulminate anions isomers.

First used as a priming composition in small copper caps beginning in the 1820s, mercury fulminate quickly replaced flints as a means to ignite black powder charges in muzzle-loading firearms. Later, during the late 19th century and most of the 20th century, mercury fulminate became widely used in primers for self-contained rifle and pistol ammunition; it was the only practical detonator for firing projectiles until the early 20th century.[1] Mercury fulminate has the distinct advantage over potassium chlorate of being non-corrosive, but it is known to weaken with time, by decomposing into its constituent elements. The reduced mercury which results forms amalgams with cartridge brass, weakening it, as well. Today, mercury fulminate has been replaced in primers by more efficient chemical substances. These are non-corrosive, less toxic, and more stable over time; they include lead azide, lead styphnate, and tetrazene derivatives. In addition, none of these compounds requires mercury for manufacture, supplies of which can be unreliable in wartime.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference wisniak was invoked but never defined (see the help page).