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 (NiAs) Orcelite (Ni5-xAs2, x ~ 0.25) Maucherite (Ni11As8)
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. Damage to 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 copper ore, thus the (copper) in the name. The (demon) name reflects the damage it did to the health of workers, in addition to the inability to extract any copper from this ore.
References
Further reading