Mercury Fulminate

Name:
Mercury Fulminate
Detailed information:

Chemistry name:	mercuric cyanate
M Formula:	Hg(CNO)2
Properties:
Gray, crystalline powder. D 4.42, mp (explodes). Soluble in alcohol, ammonium hydroxide, and hot water; slightly soluble in cold water.
Derivation:
By treating mercury with strong nitric acid and alcohol.
Grade:
Technical.
Hazard:
Explodes readily when dry, keep moist till use, an initiating explosive. Highly toxic. TLV: TWA 0.1 mg(Hg)/m3.
Use:
Manufacture of caps and detonators for producing explosions of military, industrial, and sporting purposes.