View source for Raney nickel

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'''Raney nickel''', sometimes also called '''spongy nickel''', is a fine-grained solid composed mostly of a [[nickel]]-[[aluminium]] alloy.

==Composition==
The most common composition for this alloy is 1:1 Ni/Al, though 21:29 Ni/Al and 3:7 Ni/Al are also known.

==Properties==
Raney nickel is a dull gray powder. Very fine Raney nickel is known to be pyrophoric. It melts at 1455 °C and boils at 2730 °C.<ref>https://cameochemicals.noaa.gov/chemical/4024</ref>

Raney nickel is commonly used in hydrogenation reactions, in various chemical reductions.

This is done by mixing Raney nickel with a concentrated solution of [[sodium hydroxide]].

==Availability==
Raney nickel is sold by various chemical suppliers.

==Preparation==
Raney nickel can be prepared by dissolving [[nickel]] in molten aluminium, followed by cooling ("quenching"). Depending on the Ni:Al ratio, quenching produces a number of different phases. Sometimes, a third metal, such as [[zinc]] or [[chromium]] is added in small amounts to enhance the activity of the resulting alloy ("promoter"). The resulting alloy is grounded in a [[ball mill]] or some other mill to a very fine powder.

==Projects==
*Hydrogenation of organic compounds
*Make cyclohexane from benzene
*Make sugar alcohols from various sugar (ex: [[sorbitol]] from [[sucrose]])
*Desulfurization

==Handling==
===Safety===
Raney nickel is harmful if ingested due to its nickel. Dry and finely powdered Raney nickel is pyrophoric. Work should be done under inert atmosphere.

===Storage===
Raney nickel should be kept in closed containers, preferably metal coated in anti-static coating. Another common form is storage underwater.

===Disposal===
Raney nickel should be dissolved with a strong acid to nickel salts which can either be recycled or taken to hazardous waste disposal facilities.

==References==
<references/>
===Relevant Sciencemadness threads===
*[http://www.sciencemadness.org/talk/viewthread.php?tid=35812 Is Raney Nickel inherently flamable, or only after pressure reactions?]
*[http://www.sciencemadness.org/talk/viewthread.php?tid=61992 Does letting Raney Nickel burn deactivate it?]
*[http://www.sciencemadness.org/talk/viewthread.php?tid=23151 Raney Nickel with Pd/C - how clean and re-activate?]

[[Category:Alloys]]
[[Category:Inorganic compounds]]
[[Category:Nickel compounds]]
[[Category:Aluminium compounds]]
[[Category:Pyrophoric materials]]
[[Category:Materials unstable in basic solution]]