CYANOGEN IODIDE

Description

Cyanogen iodide is a combustible, white crystalline solid with a very pungent odor. Molecularweight=152.92; Freezing/Melting point=146.5℃. HazardIdentification (based on NFPA-704 M Rating System):Health 4, Flammability 0, Reactivity . Soluble in water;slow reaction.

Chemical Properties

Iodine cyanide (cyanogen iodide) appears as light pink crystalline or brown-coloured powder and is soluble in water. It is stable but sensitive to light. It is incompatible with strong acids, strong bases, and strong oxidising agents. Cyanogen iodide decomposes on contact with acids, bases, and ammonia alcohols and on heating producing toxic gases including hydrogen cyanide. It reacts with carbon dioxide or slowly with water to produce hydrogen cyanide.

Chemical Properties

Cyanogen iodide is a combustible, white crys- talline solid. Very pungent odor.

Uses

Cyanogen bromide is used in taxidermy for preserving insects, butterflies, and so on (Merck 1989).

Uses

Generally for destroying all lower forms of life. In taxidermy for preserving insects, butterflies, etc.

General Description

White needles with a very pungent odor. Used in taxidermists' preservatives and generally for destroying all lower forms of life. Toxic by inhalation or ingestion.

Air & Water Reactions

Water soluble.

Reactivity Profile

Phosphorus(molten) plus CYANOGEN IODIDE reacts with incandescence to produce phosphorus iodide, [NFPA 491M, 1991]. Benzene and cyanogen halides yield HCl as a byproduct (Hagedorn, F. H. Gelbke, and Federal Republic of Germany. 2002. Nitriles. In Ullman Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry. Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.).

Health Hazard

Causes convulsions, paralysis and death from respiratory failure. Highly toxic; strong irritant to eyes and skin. (Non-Specific -- Cyanide or Cyanide Mixture, Dry): Poisonous, may be fatal if swallowed or absorbed through skin. Contact may cause burns to the skin and eyes. Fire may produce irritating or poisonous gases.

Health Hazard

Cyanogen bromide is a highly poisonous substance. Toxic routes are oral intake and skin absorption. Acute toxic symptoms on test animals were convulsion, paralysis, and respiratory failure. Ingestion of a 5-g amount could be fatal to humans.
LDLo value, oral (cats): 18 mg/kg
LDLo value, subcutaneous (dogs): 19 mg/kg
Cyanogen iodide is an irritant to skin.

Fire Hazard

When heated to decomposition, CYANOGEN IODIDE emits very toxic fumes of nitrogen oxides, cyanide, and iodide. Avoid phosphorus.

Safety Profile

A poison by ingestion and subcutaneous routes. Violent reaction with P. See other cyanogen entries; CYANIDE and IOdiDES. When heated to decomposition it emits very toxic fumes of NOx, CN-, and I-

Potential Exposure

Reacts slowly with water releasing hydrogen cyanide. Incompatible with phosphorus (molten); reacts with incandescence to produce phosphorus iodide . Contact with alcohols, acids, ammonia, carbon dioxide or alkaline material and bases produces toxic gases including hydrogen cyanide. Incompatible with nitriles.

First aid

If this chemical gets into the eyes, remove anycontact lenses at once and irrigate immediately for at least15 min, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek medical attention immediately. If this chemical contacts theskin, remove contaminated clothing and wash immediatelywith soap and water. Seek medical attention immediately. Ifthis chemical has been inhaled, remove from exposure,begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions, including resuscitation mask) if breathing has stopped and CPR ifheart action has stopped. Transfer promptly to a medicalfacility. When this chemical has been swallowed, get medical attention. Give large quantities of water and inducevomiting. Do not make an unconscious person vomit.Effects may be delayed; keep victim under observation. Useamyl nitrate capsules if symptoms develop. All areaemployees should be trained regularly in emergency measures for cyanide poisoning and in CPR. A cyanide antidotekit should be kept in the immediate work area and must berapidly available. Kit ingredients should be replaced every1-2 years to ensure freshness. Persons trained in the use ofthis kit, oxygen use, and CPR must be quickly available.

storage

Color Code—Blue: Health Hazard/Poison: Storein a secure poison location. Prior to working with cyanogeniodide you should be trained on its proper handlingand storage. Store in tightly closed containers in a cool,well-ventilated area. Refrigerate at (approx.) 4℃. Metal

Shipping

UN2928 Toxic solids, corrosive, organic, n.o.s., Hazard Class: 6.1; Labels: 6.1-Poisonous materials, 8-Corrosive material, Technical Name Required. UN3290 Toxic solid, corrosive, inorganic, n.o.s., Hazard class: 6.1; Labels: 6.1-Poisonous materials, 8-Corrosive material. UN1588 Cyanides, inorganic, solid, n.o.s., Hazard Class: 6.1; Labels: 6.1-Poisonous materials

Purification Methods

This compound is POISONOUS, and the precautions for cyanogen bromide (above) apply here. The reagent (ca 5.9g) is dissolved in boiling CHCl3 (15mL), filtered through a plug of glass wool into a 25mL Erlenmeyer flask. Cool to room temperature for 15minutes, then place it in an ice-salt bath and cool to -10o. This cooling causes a small aqueous layer to separate as ice. The ice is filtered with the CNI, but melts on the filter and is also removed with the CHCl3 used as washing liquid. The CNI which is collected on a sintered glass funnel is washed 3x with CHCl3 (1.5mL at 0o) and freed from last traces of solvent by placing it on a watch glass and exposing it to the atmosphere in a good fume cupboard at room temperature for 1hour to give colourless needles (ca 4.5g), m 146-147o (sealed capillary totally immersed in the oil bath). The yield depends slightly on the rapidity of the operation; in this way loss by sublimation can be minimised. If desired, it can be sublimed under reduced pressure at temperatures at which CNI is only slowly decomposed into I2 and (CN)2. The vacuum will need to be renewed constantly due to the volatility of CNI. [Bak & Hillebert Org Synth Coll Vol IV 207 1963.]

Incompatibilities

Reacts slowly with water releasing hydrogen cyanide. Incompatible with phosphorus (molten); reacts with incandescence to produce phosphorus iodide . Contact with alcohols, acids, ammonia, carbon dioxide or alkaline material and bases produces toxic gases including hydrogen cyanide. Incompatible with nitriles.

Waste Disposal

A suitable method for destroying cyanogen iodide may consist of treatment with caustic soda, followed by adding sodium hypochlorite (laundry bleach) to oxidize the cyanide to nontoxic cyanate.

Raw materials

Preparation Products