592-01-8 Usage
Description
Calcium cyanide, also known as calcium dicyanide, is a white crystalline solid or powder with an odor of hydrogen cyanide. It is toxic by skin absorption through open wounds, by ingestion, and by inhalation. Calcium cyanide is primarily used for the extraction or cyanidation of gold and silver ores, and it also has various other applications in different industries.
Uses
Used in Mining Industry:
Calcium cyanide is used as a leaching agent for the extraction of gold and silver from their ores. It is also used in the froth flotation of minerals, where it helps in the separation of valuable minerals from waste material.
Used in Steel Industry:
In the stainless-steel manufacture, calcium cyanide is utilized for its ability to form stable cyanide complexes with certain metals, which aids in the production process.
Used in Chemical Industry:
Calcium cyanide is used in the production of prussiates or ferrocyanides, which are important compounds in the chemical industry.
Used as a Fumigant and Rodenticide:
Due to its toxic properties, calcium cyanide is employed as a fumigant and rodenticide to control pests in various settings.
Used in Cement Industry:
Calcium cyanide serves as a stabilizer for cement, enhancing its properties and performance in construction applications.
Production Methods
Calcium cyanide is made commercially from lime, calcium
oxide, coke, and nitrogen. The reactions are carried out in an
electric furnace. The resulting melt is cooled rapidly to
prevent reversion to calcium cyanamide. The product is
marketed in the form of flakes, which are dark gray because
of the presence of carbon. The extraction or cyanidation of
precious-metal ores was the first and is still the largest use for
calcium cyanide.
Air & Water Reactions
Water soluble with evolution of some hydrogen cyanide, a flammable poison gas. Release of gas is much more rapid if acid is present.
Reactivity Profile
CALCIUM CYANIDE gives weakly acidic solutions. Contact with acids causes rapid evolution of hydrogen cyanide. Incompatible with isocyanates, nitrides, and peroxides. May react rapidly with oxidizing agents.
Hazard
Toxic by ingestion and skin absorption.
Health Hazard
Calcium cyanide is a highly poisonous compound to humans, animals, and fish. The toxic routes are ingestion, skin contact, and inhalation of the dust. It forms HCN readily when it reacts with CO2 or water. This makes it highly hazardous, more so than the alkalimetal cyanides, although the LD50 value of Ca(CN)2 is greater than the sodium or potassium cyanides. LD50 value, oral (rats): 39 mg/kg.
Health Hazard
Inhalation or ingestion causes headache, nausea, vomiting and weakness; high concentrations are rapidly fatal.
Fire Hazard
Special Hazards of Combustion Products: Decomposes in fire to give very toxic gases, including hydrogen cyanide.
Safety Profile
A deadly poison by
ingestion and probably other routes. When
heated to decomposition it emits toxic
fumes of NO, and CN-. See also
CALCIUM COMPOUNDS and
CYANIDE
Potential Exposure
Calcium cyanide is used as a fumigant; as a rodenticide; in leaching precious metal ores; in
the manufacture of stainless steel; and as a stabilizer forcement. Used as raw material for production of nitrogenous
compounds and in treatment of alcoholism
storage
Calcium cyanide is stored in tight containers free from moisture. Proper ventilation and protective equipment should be used while handling the solid or while preparing an aqueous solution. It is shipped in mild-steel or fiber drums.
Shipping
UN1575 Calcium cyanide, Hazard Class: 6.1;
Labels: 6.1-Poisonous materials
Incompatibilities
Contact with water, acids, acidic salts;
moist air, or carbon dioxide, forms highly toxic and flammable
hydrogen cyanide. Incompatible with fluorine, magnesium.
Reacts violently when heated with nitrites, nitrates, chlorates,
and perchlorates. Calcium cyanide decomposes in high heat
forming hydrogen cyanide and nitrous oxides fumes
Waste Disposal
Add cyanide waste to strong
alkaline sodium hypochlorite. Let stand 24 hours then flush
to sewage plant.
Check Digit Verification of cas no
The CAS Registry Mumber 592-01-8 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 2 respectively; the second part has 2 digits, 0 and 1 respectively.
Calculate Digit Verification of CAS Registry Number 592-01:
(5*5)+(4*9)+(3*2)+(2*0)+(1*1)=68
68 % 10 = 8
So 592-01-8 is a valid CAS Registry Number.
InChI:InChI=1/2CN.Ca/c2*1-2;/q2*-1;+2
