Nickel carbonyl

Nickel carbonyl, or tetracarbonylnickel is a covalent compound of nickel, which is, unusually for a metal compound, a colorless liquid at room temperature. Its formula is Ni(CO)4. It is highly toxic and may be fatal if ingested or absorbed through the skin, earning it the nickname "liquid death". Nickel carbonyl is extremely volatile. It evaporates at room temperature. The vapours can autoignite.

Related Topics:
Covalent - Nickel

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Like iron pentacarbonyl nickel tetracarbonyl is a 18 valence electron compound.

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Nickel metal at room temperature is able to react with carbon monoxide (CO) to form the tetracarbonyl. On moderate heating nickel tetracarbonyl decomposes to carbon monoxide and nickel metal. These two reactions form the basis for the Mond process for making pure nickel.

Related Topics:
Carbon monoxide - Mond

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