Molekula
Mercury(II) thiocyanate
Supplying 4,500+ customers in over 80 countries
ISO 9001:2015 & ISO 14001:2015 certified · Supplying laboratories and industry since 2000 · Listed pack sizes are a starting point — we manufacture, source and repack to the quantity you need
Mercury(II) thiocyanate is a highly toxic inorganic compound composed of mercury, carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur, primarily used in analytical chemistry for precipitation reactions and as a reagent in certain organic syntheses. Its documented applications include serving as a reagent for chloride determination in water analysis and as an intensifier in photographic processing. It was also historically used in the 'Pharaoh's serpent' novelty firework, though its use is now heavily restricted due to its extreme toxicity. This chemical has a CAS number of 592-85-8, with the molecular formula Hg(SCN)₂ and a molecular weight of 316.75 g/mol. It must be stored at ambient conditions in a secure, properly labeled container, away from incompatible substances. The substance carries a Danger signal word, indicating severe hazards, including acute toxicity and organ damage. Handling requires strict adherence to safety protocols, including personal protective equipment and controlled ventilation. Molekula supplies Mercury(II) thiocyanate from research to bulk quantities with full documentation and ISO 9001:2015 traceability.
Example image for illustration only. Other packaging and pack sizes are available.
Pricing & pack sizes
These pack sizes aren't a limit. Molekula manufactures, sources and repacks to order — if you need 500 kg and only see 1 kg listed, . We quote from grams to multi-tonne.
Need a different size? Add the nearest pack and change the size in your basket — we price it at the same rate per unit.
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25 g — £66.80 per pack ex VAT · £80.16 inc. VAT
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Tell us how much you need and when — drums, IBCs, sacks or a one-off bulk lot. We'll manufacture or source it and come back with a price.
Prices exclude VAT/sales tax and shipping.
Specifications
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White to Off white crystalline powder |
| Melting Point | 164 - 166℃ |
| Assay | ≥ 97% |
| Solubility in water | Negligible |
Storage & handling
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Storage Temperature | Ambient |
| Transport Class | 6.1 |
| Packing Group | II |
| Acidity | Acid |
Literature values
Published physical properties of the substance, not batch specifications.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White to tan powder |
| Odour | Odorless |
| Melting Point | 165 °C (decomposes) |
Source: PubChem CID 11615 (HSDB)
Identification
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| SKU | 19336292 |
| CAS Number | 592-85-8 |
| IUPAC Name | mercury(2+) dithiocyanate |
| Molecular Formula | Hg(SCN)2 |
| Molecular Weight | 316.75 |
| Exact Mass | 317.9209 |
| SMILES | C(#N)[S-].C(#N)[S-].[Hg+2] |
| InChIKey | GBZANUMDJPCQHY-UHFFFAOYSA-L |
| InChI | InChI=1S/2CHNS.Hg/c2*2-1-3;/h2*3H;/q;;+2/p-2 |
| PubChem CID | 11615 |
| UN Number | UN1646 |
| REACH Code | Y110 |
| TSCA Listed | Yes |
| HTS Code | 28521090 |
| Tariff Code | 2852100000 |
Safety & GHS
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Toxic
GHS06
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Serious Health Hazard
GHS08
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Hazardous to the Environment
GHS09
Hazard statements
- EUH032 Contact with acids liberates very toxic gas
- H300 Fatal if swallowed
- H310 Fatal in contact with skin
- H330 Fatal if inhaled
- H373 May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure
- H410 Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects
Precautionary statements
- P260 Do not breathe dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray
- P273 Avoid release to the environment
- P280 Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection
- P301+310 IF SWALLOWED: Immediately call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician
- P304+312 IF INHALED: Call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician if you feel unwell
- P307+311 IF exposed: Call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician
Documents
Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
Available in English, French, German, Italian, Russian, Spanish.
Certificate of Analysis (CoA) by batch
Enter a lot or batch number to retrieve the CoA for that specific batch. We can generate one from spec data if no PDF is on file.
Synonyms
- Mercuric sulfocyanate
- Mercuric sulfocyanide
- MERCURIC THIOCYANATE
- mercurothiocyanate
- Mercury dithiocyanate
- Mercury thiocyanate Hg(SCN)2
- Mercury, bis(thiocyanate)
- Mercury, bis(thiocyanato)-
- Thiocyanic acid, mercury(2+) salt
- Thiocyanic acid, mercury(2+) salt (2:1)
Frequently asked questions
What is Mercury(II) thiocyanate commonly used for?
Mercury(II) thiocyanate is primarily used in analytical chemistry for qualitative tests, such as detecting cobalt ions. Historically it was used in the 'Pharaoh's serpent' novelty firework, which produces a large, snake-like column of ash when ignited.
What is the chemical formula and molecular weight of Mercury(II) thiocyanate?
The chemical formula is Hg(SCN)₂, and the molecular weight is 316.75 g/mol.
How should Mercury(II) thiocyanate be stored?
Store in a tightly sealed container at ambient temperature, away from moisture, incompatible substances, and direct sunlight.
What purity grades are available for this product?
Molekula supplies Mercury(II) thiocyanate in technical grade purity; custom specifications may be discussed for research or industrial applications.
Can Molekula supply Mercury(II) thiocyanate in bulk quantities?
Yes, bulk quantities are available upon request, subject to inventory and compliance with shipping regulations.
What documentation comes with an order of Mercury(II) thiocyanate?
Each order includes a Certificate of Analysis (CoA), Safety Data Sheet (SDS), and a product specification sheet. Additional documentation, such as a Material Safety Declaration, may be provided upon request.
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