Nickel arsenide

Nickel arsenide refers to inorganic compounds composed of nickel and arsenic. Several forms exist including a monoarsenide with the chemical formula NiAs and another with the formula Ni₅As₂. It is highly toxic and a known carcinogen.

Occurrence

Nickel arsenide occurs in the following minerals:

Nickeline
Orcelite
Maucherite

Preparation

Nickel arsenide can be prepared by direct combination of the elements:

History

Nickel arsenide was one of the first compounds that revealed the toxicity of nickel. The damage to the miners' lungs was documented by Georgius Agricola in the 16th century: "kupfer-nickel" ores in the Schneeberg mines contained red-colored NiAs mineral originally mistaken for the copper ore, thus the in the name. The name was reflecting the damage it did to the health of the workers, in addition to them being unable to extract any copper from this ore.