title: Nickel carbonyl: decomposition in air and related kinetic studies.
abstract: Nickel carbonyl [Ni(CO)(4)] is a toxic gas used in the manufacture of metallic nickel which has been shown to be carcinogenic and teratogenic in laboratory studies. Its decomposition in air proceeds at a rate that is strongly dependent on the concentration of carbon monoxide (CO). In the absence of CO, the lifetime in air at 296 degrees K and at atmospheric pressure is 60 +/- 5 seconds. A mechanism consisting of equilibrium unimolecular decomposition to Ni(CO)(3) and CO, followed by reaction of the Ni(CO)(3) with molecular oxygen, is consistent with the observations.
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Stedman
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Hikade
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pearson
authors.forename: E D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Yalvac