Cadmium acetate

Description

Cadmium acetate is a colourless crystal with a characteristic odour. It is not combustible, but it decomposes on heating, producing toxic fumes of cadmium oxide. It is incompatible with oxidising agents, metals, hydrogen azide, zinc, selenium, and tellurium. Occupational exposure to cadmium and cadmium compounds occurs in workplaces mainly in the form of airborne dust and fume. Occupations and workplaces include cadmium production and refining, nickel–cadmium battery manufacture, cadmium pigment manufacture and formulation, cadmium alloy production, mechanical plating, zinc smelting, soldering, and polyvinylchloride compounding. Cadmium and compounds enter the body mainly by inhalation and by ingestion.

Chemical properties

White crystalline powder

Chemical properties

Cadmium acetate is colorless crystal with a characteristic odor. It is not combustible, but it decomposes on heating, producing toxic fumes of cadmium oxide. It is incompatible with oxidizing agents, metals, hydrogen azide, zinc, selenium, and tellurium. Occupational exposure to cadmium and cadmium compounds occurs in workplaces mainly in the form of airborne dust and fumes. Occupations and workplaces include cadmium production and refi ning, nickel-cadmium battery manufacture, cadmium pigment manufacture and formulation, cadmium alloy production, mechanical plating, zinc smelting, soldering, and polyvinylchloride compounding. Cadmium and compounds enter the body mainly by inhalation and by ingestion

Chemical properties

Cadmium acetate is a colorless crystalline solid; freezing/melting point 5 130C. Hazard identification (based on NFPA-704 M Rating System): Health 3, flammability 0, reactivity 0. Soluble in water

Physical properties

The anhydrous salt occurs as a colorless crystal while the dihydrate is a white crystalline solid; faint odor of acetic acid; density 2.34 g/cm³ (dihydrate2.01 g/cm³); melts at 255°C; dihydrate decomposes at 130°C; soluble in water and ethanol; pH of 0.2M aqueous solution 7.10.

The Uses of Cadmium acetate

Cadmium(II) acetate can be used in the synthesis of cadmium oxide (CdO) thin films, which find usage in gas sensors, phototransistors, and diodes. It can also be used in the synthesis of cadmium sulfide (CdS) nanoparticles, which can be used in a variety of optoelectronic devices.

The Uses of Cadmium acetate

Cadmium acetate is used for glazing ceramics and pottery; in electroplating baths; in dyeing and printing textiles; and as an analytical reagent for sulfur, selenium, and tellurium.

Preparation

Cadmium acetate is prepared by treating cadmium oxide with acetic acid:
CdO + 2CH₃COOH → (CH₃COO)₂Cd + H₂O
Also, the compound may be prepared by treating cadmium nitrate with acetic anhydride.

General Description

Odorless colorless solid. Sinks and mixes with water.

Air & Water Reactions

Slowly oxidized by moist air to form cadmium oxide [Merck 11th ed. 1989]. Water soluble.

Reactivity Profile

Salts, basic, such as Cadmium acetate, are generally soluble in water. The resulting solutions contain moderate concentrations of hydroxide ions and have pH's greater than 7.0. They react as bases to neutralize acids. These neutralizations generate heat, but less or far less than is generated by neutralization of the bases in reactivity group 10 (Bases) and the neutralization of amines. They usually do not react as either oxidizing agents or reducing agents but such behavior is not impossible. Special Hazards of Combustion Products: Toxic cadmium oxide fumes may form in fires [USCG, 1999].

Health Hazard

Inhalation causes coughing, sneezing, symptoms of lung damage. Ingestion produces severe toxic symptoms; both kidney and liver injuries may occur. Contact with dust causes eye irritation.

Health Hazard

Exposures to cadmium acetate cause cough, skin redness, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, salivation, choking, dizziness, and diarrhea. On catching fi re, cadmium acetate gives off irritating or toxic metal oxide fumes. Inhalation of dust produces perforation of the nasal septum, loss of smell, irritation, headache, metallic taste, and cough. Prolonged exposures to cadmium acetate may produce shortness of breath, chest pain, and fl u-like symptoms, chills, weakness, fever, muscular pain, pulmonary edema, liver and kidney damage and death. Cadmium acetate may have effects on the kidneys and bones, leading to kidney impairment and osteoporosis (bone weakness), and liver damage. Accidental ingestion or inhalation of cadmium acetate may be fatal to workers

Fire Hazard

Special Hazards of Combustion Products: Toxic cadmium oxide fumes may form in fires.

Safety Profile

Confirmed human carcinogen. Poison by intraperitoneal route. An experimental teratogen. Other experimental reproductive effects. Human mutation data reported. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of Cd. See also CADMIUM COMPOUNDS.

Potential Exposure

Cadmium acetate is a colorless crystalline solid; freezing/melting point 5 130C. Hazard identification (based on NFPA-704 M Rating System): Health 3, flammability 0, reactivity 0. Soluble in water

First aid

If this chemical gets into the eyes, remove anycontact lenses at once and irrigate immediately for at least15 min, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seekmedical attention immediately. If this chemical contacts theskin, remove contaminated clothing and wash immediatelywith soap and water. Seek medical attention immediately. Ifthis chemical has been inhaled, remove from exposure, beginrescue breathing (using universal precautions, includingresuscitation mask) if breathing has stopped and CPR if heartaction has stopped. Transfer promptly to a medical facility.When this chemical has been swallowed, get medical attention. Give large quantities of water and induce vomiting. Donot make an unconscious person vomit. Medical observationis recommended for 24-48 h after breathing overexposure,as pulmonary edema may be delayed. As first aid for pulmonary edema, a doctor or authorized paramedic may consideradministering a corticosteroid spray.Note to physician: For severe poisoning do not use BAL[British Anti-Lewisite, dimercaprol, dithiopropanol(C3H8OS2)] as it is contraindicated or ineffective inpoisoning from cadmium.

storage

Color Code—Blue: Health Hazard: Store in asecure poison location. Prior to working with Cadmiumacetate you should be trained on its proper handling andstorage. Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, wellventilated area away from heat and incompatible materialslisted above. A regulated, marked area should be established where this chemical is handled, used, or stored incompliance with OSHA Standard 1910.1045.

Shipping

UN2570 Cadmium compounds, Hazard Class: 6.1; Labels: 6.1-Poisonous materials, Technical Name Required.

Incompatibilities

Compounds of the carboxyl group react with all bases, both inorganic and organic (i.e., amines) releasing substantial heat, water, and a salt that may be harmful. Incompatible with arsenic compounds (releases hydrogen cyanide gas), diazo compounds, dithiocarbamates, isocyanates, mercaptans, nitrides, sulfides (releasing heat, toxic, and possibly flammable gases), thiosulfates, and dithionites (releasing hydrogen sulfate and oxides of sulfur). Incompatible with oxidizers (chlorates, nitrates, peroxides, permanganates, perchlorates, chlorine, bromine, fluorine, etc.); contact may cause fires or explosions. Keep away from alkaline materials, strong bases, strong acids, oxoacids, epoxides

Waste Disposal

Precipitation as sulfide, drying and return to supplier. Incineration is not recommended.

Precautions

During use and handling of cadmium acetate, occupational workers should be careful. Workers should use protective gloves and immediately remove contaminated clothing and shoes. The workplace should provide an eye-wash fountain and quick-drench facilities. During use of cadmium acetate, workers should avoid heat, flame, ignition sources, dust, and incompatibles.