Nickelous acetate

Description

Nickel (II) acetate (Ni (CH₃ COO)₂ ) is an inorganic compound of nickel and acetic acid. This inorganic compound is usually found as the tetrahydrate. It is used for electroplating.
It can be made by reacting nickel or nickel (II) carbonate with acetic acid.
Ni + 2 CH₃ COOH → C₄ H₆ NiO₄ + H₂
NiCO₃ + 2 CH₃ COOH → C₄ H₆ NiO₄ + CO₂ + H₂ O
The green tetrahydrate has been determined by X-ray crystallography to be octahedral about the central nickel atom, coordinated by four water molecules and two acetate fragments.It may be dehydrated in vacuo, by reaction with acetic anhydride,or by heat.

Chemical properties

Green, monoclinic crystals; effloresces somewhat in air.Soluble in water and alcohol.

Chemical properties

Nickel(II) acetate crystallizes from solutions of the hydroxide in acetic acid at room temperature as the green tetrahydrate. This is isomorphous with the cobalt(II) salt having a distorted octahedral structure with the nickel atoms surrounded by four water molecules and two oxygens from two acetato groups which are trans to each other. Its magnetic moment is 3.30 BM at room temperature. The hygroscopic anhydrous acetate is obtained by dehydration of the tetrahydrate in vacuo or by heating the tetrahydrate under reflux with acetic anhydride. Like the tetrahydrate it is magnetically dilute at room temperature. Upon thermal decomposition in nitrogen (or in vacuo) at 300° it evolves acetone, acetic acid, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and water leaving nickel and N13C.

Physical properties

The tetrahydrate is a green crystalline solid; sweet taste; odor of acetic acid; density 1.744 g/cm³; loses water on heating to form a yellow-green powder of anhydrous nickel acetate; decomposes above 250°C; soluble in water, 17g/100mL at 20°C; sparingly soluble in alcohol.

The Uses of Nickelous acetate

Textiles (mordant), catalyst.

General Description

Dull green odorless solid. Sinks and mixes slowly with water.

Air & Water Reactions

Water soluble.

Reactivity Profile

Nickelous acetate is a green, crystalline material, mildly toxic and carcinogenic. Combustible when exposed to heat or flame. When heated to decomposition Nickelous acetate emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes [Lewis, 3rd ed., 1993, p. 909].

Hazard

Toxic by ingestion, a carcinogen (OSHA).

Health Hazard

Inhalation causes irritation of nose and throat. Ingestion causes vomiting. Contact with eyes causes irritation. May cause dermatitis in contact with skin.

Flammability and Explosibility

Non flammable

Safety Profile

Confirmed carcinogen with experimental neoplastigenic and tumorigenic data. Poison by ingestion, intraperitoneal, and subcutaneous routes. Experimental reproductive effects. Mutation data reported. When heated to decomposition it emits irritating fumes. See also NICKEL COMPOUNDS.

Safety

Nickel salts are carcinogenic and irritate the skin.