Nickel hydrazine perchlorate

Nickel hydrazine perchlorate

Names
IUPAC name Nickel hydrazine perchlorate
Other names Nickel hydrazinium perchlorate Trihydrazinonickel(II) perchlorate
Properties
Chemical formula	[Ni(N2H4)5](ClO4)2
Molar mass	417.829 g/mol
Appearance	Blueish or light purple/lilac
Odor	Odorless
Density	1.983 g/cm3
Melting point	Detonates
Boiling point	Detonates
Solubility in water	Insoluble
Solubility	Insoluble in organic solvents
Vapor pressure	~0 mmHg
Hazards
Safety data sheet	None
Related compounds
Related compounds	Nickel hydrazine nitrate
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references

Nickel hydrazine perchlorate (NHP), is an energetic coordination compound whose properties haven't been properly studied due to its high sensitivity. The compound has the chemical formula [Ni(N₂H₄)₅](ClO₄)₂.

Properties

Chemical

Nickel hydrazine perchlorate decomposes violently, releasing nickel chloride powder, nitrogen, water vapors and ammonia.

3 [Ni(N₂H₄)₅](ClO₄)₂ → 13 N₂ + 24 H₂O + 4 NH₃ + 3 NiCl₂

Physical

Nickel hydrazine perchlorate is a blueish or purpleish compound, insoluble in water and organic solvents.

Explosive

Nickel hydrazine perchlorate is a powerful energetic material, but it has been deemed too sensitive for any practical applications. It's extremely sensitive to heat, friction and impact, as well as static electrical discharge.

Availability

Nickel hydrazine perchlorate is not sold by anyone and has to be made in situ.

Preparation

The preparation of this compound is extremely dangerous and should not be attempted by anyone lacking experience in preparing sensitive primary explosives! It has also been noted in literature that is has a tendency to explode unexpectedly! You have been warned!

The compound can be obtained by adding hydrazine to nickel(II) perchlorate, then precipitate the product.

Do not prepare more than 10 mg of this compound. Avoid using glass beakers as much as possible, and use plastic instead if possible.

Projects

• Make blasting caps
• Pyrotechnic demonstrations

Handling

Safety

Nickel hydrazine perchlorate is a powerful sensitive explosive that may detonate easily.

The compound is also infamous for delayed reaction, which has been noted several times: In one infamous case from 2010, a student synthesized 10 g of the stuff, and split the final product in two 5 g batches. One batch was immersed in hexane and grounded in a mortar, under the theory that it's stable when wet. While the product did not detonate during the first ground, it was set off after the student tried to give one last try, after he took off his protection goggles. The NHP detonated, which severely injured the student, and also destroyed a piece of the lab table.

The substance has been known to detonate even under water as suspension, when stirred with a glass rod. It also showed delayed reaction after being subjected to impact: the dry precipitate did not detonate immediately upon impact, but it was observed to detonate in suspension.

A 2-3 mg crystal detonated when it was removed from a vial and destroyed said vial.

The compound is also very toxic due to the presence of three harmful components: nickel, hydrazine and perchlorate.

Storage

Nickel hydrazine perchlorate should not be stored and instead should be used as quickly as possible.

Disposal

Can be easily neutralized by safely detonating in a safe or remote area.