Products of the radiation-chemical and thermal decomposition of mercury fulminate

The products of the radiation-chemical and thermal decomposition of mercury fulminate were examined by IR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. Upon radiolysis to 20% conversion, the fulminate ion underwent decompositi on (G (decomposition) = 20 molecule/100 eV) with the formation of HgO (G = 9 +/- 1 molecule/100 eV), CN- ions, and CO2. The final solid products of th e radiolysis are Hg(CNH)(2), a cyanide complex, the mercury carbonate oxide HgCO3 . 3HgO, the mercury cyanide oxide Hg(CN)(2) . HgO, and paracyanogen (CN)(n). In the thermolysis, the final solid products of decomposition are the mercury carbonate oxide HgCO3 . 2HgO, a cyanide complex, and the cluste r HgnCmNoOp.