Nickel(II) acetate is the name for the coordination compounds with the formula Ni(CH3CO2)2·x H2O where x can be 0, 2, and 4. The mint-green tetrahydrate Ni(CH3CO2)2·4 H2O is most common. It is used for electroplating.
Synthesis and structure
The compound can be prepared by treating nickel or nickel(II) carbonate with acetic acid:
The mint-green tetrahydrate has been shown by X-ray crystallography to adopt an octahedral structure, the central nickel centre being coordinated by four water molecules and two acetate ligands.[5] It may be dehydrated in vacuo, by reaction with acetic anhydride[6] or by heat.[7]
Safety
Nickel salts are toxic, carcinogenic and irritate the skin.
References
^M. A. Mohamed, S. A. Halawy, M. M. Ebrahim: "Non-isothermal decomposition of nickel acetate tetrahydrate", in: Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis, 1993, 27 (2), S. 109–110. doi:10.1016/0165-2370(93)80002-H.
^Van Niekerk, J. N.; Schoening, F. R. L. (1953). "The crystal structures of nickel acetate, Ni(CH3COO)2·4H2O, and cobalt acetate, Co(CH3COO)2·4H2O". Acta Crystallogr.6 (7): 609–612. doi:10.1107/S0365110X5300171X.
^Tappmeyer, W. P.; Davidson, Arthur W. (1963). "Cobalt and Nickel Acetates in Anhydrous Acetic Acid". Inorg. Chem.2 (4): 823–825. doi:10.1021/ic50008a039.