Nickel arsenide

Nickel arsenide is a compound of nickel and arsenic and component of the ore nickeline. It is highly toxic^{[citation needed]} and a known carcinogen in humans. Uncontrolled decomposition of nickel arsenide can give rise to further toxic nickel compounds.^{[citation needed]}

Nickel arsenide

Names
Other names Nickel monoarsenide
Identifiers
CAS Number	1303-13-5
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ECHA InfoCard	100.043.776
EC Number	248-169-1
PubChem CID	101946360
UNII	2A4QIT3M17
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID9067273
InChI InChI=1S/As.Ni Key: UIFOTCALDQIDTI-UHFFFAOYSA-N
SMILES [Ni].[As]
Properties
Chemical formula	AsNi
Molar mass	133.6150 g·mol−1
Appearance	red solid
Density	7.57 g/cm3
Melting point	968 °C (1,774 °F; 1,241 K)
Solubility in water	nearly insoluble
Hazards
GHS labelling:
Pictograms
Signal word	Danger
Hazard statements	H317, H350i, H372, H410
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Infobox references

Toxicity

Nickel arsenide was one of the first compounds that revealed the toxicity of nickel. The damage to the miners' lungs was documented by Georgius Agricola in the 16th century: "kupfer-nickel" ores in the Schneeberg mines contained red-colored NiAs mineral originally mistaken for the copper ore, thus the German: kupfer (copper) in the name. The German: Nickel (demon) name was reflecting the damage it did to the health of the workers,^[1] in addition to them being unable to extract any copper from this ore.

The acute oral LD50 in rats is about 6000 mg/kg.^[2]

Preparation of NiAs

The main compound within nickeline, nickel arsenide (NiAs), can be prepared by direct combination of the elements:

Ni(s) + As(s) → NiAs(s)^[3]