Silver fulminate

Silver fulminate
Names
IUPAC names
Silver carbidooxidonitrate(1−)[1]
Silver oxidoazaniumylidynemethane[2]
Other names
Silver fulminate
Silver(I) fulminate
Argentous fulminate
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChemSpider
UNII
  • InChI=1S/CNO.Ag/c1-2-3;/q-1;+1
    Key: AZPZMMZIYMVPCK-UHFFFAOYSA-N
  • [C-]#[N+][O-].[Ag+]
Properties
AgCNO
Molar mass 149.885 g/mol
Density 3.938 g/cm3
Explosive data
Shock sensitivity Extremely high
Friction sensitivity Extremely high
Hazards
Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH):
Main hazards
 Sensitive high explosive
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)
NFPA 704 four-colored diamondHealth 3: Short exposure could cause serious temporary or residual injury. E.g. chlorine gasFlammability 3: Liquids and solids that can be ignited under almost all ambient temperature conditions. Flash point between 23 and 38 °C (73 and 100 °F). E.g. gasolineInstability 4: Readily capable of detonation or explosive decomposition at normal temperatures and pressures. E.g. nitroglycerinSpecial hazards (white): no code
3
3
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).
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Silver fulminate (AgCNO) is the highly explosive silver salt of fulminic acid.

Silver fulminate is a primary explosive, but has limited use as such due to its extreme sensitivity to impact, heat, pressure, and electricity. The compound becomes progressively sensitive as it is aggregated, even in small amounts; the touch of a falling feather, the impact of a single water droplet, or a small static discharge are all capable of explosively detonating an unconfined pile of silver fulminate no larger than a dime and no heavier than a few milligrams. Aggregating larger quantities is impossible, due to the compound's tendency to self-detonate under its own weight.

Silver fulminate was first prepared in 1800 by Edward Charles Howard in his research project to prepare a large variety of fulminates. Along with mercury fulminate, it is the only fulminate stable enough for commercial use. Detonators using silver fulminate were used to initiate picric acid in 1885, but since have been used only by the Italian Navy.[3] The current commercial use has been in producing non-damaging novelty noisemakers as children's toys.

  1. ^ International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (2005). Nomenclature of Inorganic Chemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 2005). Cambridge (UK): RSC–IUPAC. ISBN 0-85404-438-8. p. 291. Electronic version.
  2. ^ "Silver fulminate". ChemBase. Retrieved 8 June 2012.[permanent dead link]
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference pri was invoked but never defined (see the help page).