Nickel Carbonyl
Nickel carbonyl, also known as Ni(CO)₄, is a highly specialized chemical compound with distinctive properties. It’s a colorless, volatile liquid used primarily in the industrial refining of nickel and other metals. Its unique molecular structure makes it critical in the Mond process, ensuring precision and purity in refining applications.
This product isn’t just a chemical—it's a cornerstone for advanced industrial operations. However, its handling requires strict safety protocols due to its highly toxic and flammable nature.
Key Features
- Chemical Formula: Ni(CO)₄
- Appearance: Colorless, volatile liquid with a musty odor
- Uses: Primarily utilized in the Mond process for nickel refining
- Thermal Decomposition: Produces pure nickel and carbon monoxide when heated
- Highly Reactive: Susceptible to oxidation at room temperature
- Storage Requirements: Must be handled in a controlled, oxygen-free environment
Pros
- High Efficiency: Essential in the Mond process for nickel production
- Purity Control: Enables the production of highly refined nickel
- Versatile Applications: Found in chemical synthesis and metallurgical processes
Cons
- Extreme Toxicity: Dangerous when inhaled or absorbed through the skin
- High Flammability: Requires careful handling and storage to prevent combustion
- Specialized Handling: Requires advanced safety equipment and experienced professionals
- Temperature Sensitivity: Decomposes or explodes if exposed to high heat
Important Note
Nickel carbonyl is a powerful industrial tool, but only for users equipped to manage its risks. Always follow strict safety guidelines, including proper ventilation, storage, and protective gear.
Looking for precision in industrial refining? Nickel carbonyl delivers unmatched quality—safely handled by the right professionals.
Acute nickel carbonyl poisoning
Nickel carbonyl [Ni(CO)4], is formed when metallic nickel combines with carbon monoxide. It is used in the refining process of nickel and as a catalyst in petroleum, plastic, and rubber production. Nickel carbonyl is considered to be one of the most toxic chemicals used industrially and the magnitude of its morbidity and mortality has been compared to that of hydrogen cyanide. A 46-year-old man presented to the emergency department 24 hours after accidental occupational exposure to nickel carbonyl. He admitted to dermal contamination and inhaling the vapor from his clothing after his respiratory protection was removed. On presentation the patient was alert and oriented, complained of shortness of breath, chest tightness, and paresthesias. Examination revealed decreased breath sounds bilaterally and arterial blood gas PO2 of 39% with calculated O2 saturation of 75%. After face mask O2 at 60% his PO2 increased to 85%. The patient required 60% O2 with continuous positive airway pressure of 5 for 4 days. Disulfiram (Antabuse) was administered for the first 2 days until sodium diethyldithiocarbamate (dithiocarb) was obtained. Disulfiram was used because it is metabolized to two molecules of dithiocarb and is hypothetically of value. Dithiocarb was obtained and continued over the next several days. The patient’s urine nickel level on the day of admission was 172 micrograms/dL (normal < 5 micrograms/dL) and a serum level of 14.6 micrograms/dL (normal .26-.46 micrograms/dL). The patient’s condition gradually improved over the next 10 days. Nickel carbonyl exposure produces mild transient initial symptoms which are followed within 24 hours by more severe life-threatening events.
Death occurs due to pulmonary and cerebral edema. Treatment with sodium diethyldithiocarbamate was not effective, perhaps due to the severity of exposure and the short interval between administration of the medication and death.
Nickel carbonyl, formed by the reaction of carbon monoxide with metallic nickel, is used in nickel refining, in the synthesis of acrylic and methacrylic esters, and for other organic synthesis. In air, nickel carbonyl rapidly decomposes to metallic nickel and carbon monoxide with a 50% decomposition at room temperature and total decomposition at 150-200 C. Its decomposition is inversely proportional to the concentration of carbon monoxide; in the absence of carbon monoxide, decomposition may occur in approximately 1 min. Thus, potential exposure to the parent nickel carbonyl is limited by its rapid conversion to airborne metallic nickel.
Human data are limited to case reports, primarily of nickel workers, that affirm the extreme toxicity of the compound. Definitive exposure terms are lacking in these reports. Available information suggests that there are very limited or no warning properties associated with exposure to nickel carbonyl. Significant signs and symptoms of toxicity are known to occur in the absence of recognizable odor. Human case studies have shown that a latency period often occurs between initial signs of toxicity and subsequent serious effects that may progress to death. The primary target of nickel carbonyl-induced acute toxicity appears to be the lungs, although extra pulmonary involvement also has been reported. The specific mechanism of toxicity is unclear but appears to involve damage to pulmonary tissue.
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