Potassium fulminate is a potassium salt of explosive acid .
| Potassium fulminate | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Are common | |
| Systematic name | Potassium fulminate |
| Chem. formula | Kcno |
| Physical properties | |
| condition | colorless (white) crystals |
| Molar mass | 81, 12 g / mol g / mol |
| Density | 1.8 g / cm³ |
| Classification | |
| Reg. CAS number | 15736-99-9 |
| PubChem | |
| Smiles | |
| Inchi | |
| ChemSpider | |
Properties
It is a white hygroscopic powder that does not dissolve at all or dissolves with difficulty in most solvents. When precipitated from a solution of methyl alcohol forms crystals.
A powerful initiating explosive , like mercury fulminate, explodes with a sharp sound when heated.
Formed by the reaction of explosive mercury with potassium amalgam. The reaction is feasible since the bond between potassium and carbon is much stronger than between mercury and carbon.
Used only in chemical experiments and in the capsules of old rifles.