DetaDude - 5-5-2009 at 12:31
From an old man with limited knowledge. Can anyone guide me through a synthesis of mercury fulminate starting with mercury nitrate? I have tried the
various search methods but come up empty handed.
Hope someone can help.
hissingnoise - 5-5-2009 at 13:09
All you need now is EtOH ~95% and a large beaker!
COPAE in the forum library gives the full synthesis. . .
Jor - 5-5-2009 at 13:16
Please, just don't make it.
Detonating it will release significant amounts of mercury vapour.
Need some info. on ammounts.
DetaDude - 5-5-2009 at 18:06
Thanks for the help but I have over the years accumulated a hefty amount of HgNO3 that I don't need and would like to convert it to fulminate which I
need and can use. I'll go back to COPAE and check it a little closer .
hissingnoise - 6-5-2009 at 07:36
There are safer primaries but having HgNO3 is so convenient for MF.
In COPAE, (p.162) Davis gives details of a process for picric acid from benzene using HgNO3 as catalyst.
If you have a lot of benzene sloshing around. . .
The toxicity of mercury is problematic, though, as Jor mentioned!
DetaDude - 6-5-2009 at 08:18
Thanks gang for the response it is well appreciated . On E & W forum I did find a process that refers to using a 1:3 ratio (mole) Hg to HNO3 then
proceed as usual .
Upon checking out this avenue it appears that the ratio seems to be off the mark as the mix at that stated ratio barely dampens the nitrate with the
acid. Does anyone know if these figures are correct. I guess what I need is a second opinion . I would like to have this process down pat before I
risk the required reagents.
Just trying to do the proper research on this route, given the target compound I'm looking for, and the present day cost of the materials involved.
I have hunted the net for this info and found it to be very lacking in content.
Thanks ahead of time to all that help.
hissingnoise - 6-5-2009 at 08:41
Five grams of mercury will give ~8gm HgNO3---50cc 95% EtOH will convert this to MF. . .
hissingnoise - 6-5-2009 at 09:08
Ooops!
I mistakenly gave mercurous nitrate HgNO3 instead of mercuric nitrate Hg(NO3)2. . .
The mercurous salt forms in cold dilute HNO3.
bfesser - 6-5-2009 at 10:15
You could always just dispose of it the proper way--through a licensed disposal firm.
hissingnoise - 6-5-2009 at 11:30
From my redneck ancestry---Shucks! Where's the fun in that?