CAS 12035-72-2PubChem CID 25199732
NICKEL SULFIDE (Ni3S2)
- IUPAC name
- nickel;sulfanylidenenickel
- Molecular formula
- Ni3S2
- Molecular weight
- 240.22 g/mol
- Exact mass
- 239.745611 Da
- Topological polar surface area
- 64.2 Ų
- Hydrogen-bond donors
- 0
- Hydrogen-bond acceptors
- 2
- Covalent units
- 3
- Defined stereocentres
- 0
Also known as
RefChem:927714CHEBI:144804234-829-6alpha nickel subsulfidealpha-Nickel sulfide (3:2) crystallinedisulfanylidenetrinickelNi3S2Nickel sesquisulfide
12 more reported names
Nickel Subsulfidenickel subsulfide (Ni3S2)Nickel subsulphideNickel sulfide (3:2)Nickel tritadisulphideNickel(III) sulfideTrinickel disulfideZK2A2WV92ZHeazlewooditeKhizlevuditealpha-Nickel subsulfideCCRIS 7580
External database identifiers
Evidence from additional scientific databases
NIH PubChem PUG-View
Exact identifier match25199732
Attributed physical-property, hazard, environmental and use annotations.
- Color/Form: Hexagonal crystals Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Density: 5.82 (NTP, 1992) - Denser than water; will sink Source: CAMEO Chemicals
- Density: 5.87 Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Density: Relative density (water = 1): 5.82 Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
- Melting Point: 1454 °F (NTP, 1992) Source: CAMEO Chemicals
- Melting Point: 787 °C Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Melting Point: 790 °C Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
- Physical Description: Nickel subsulfide appears as pale yellowish-bronze metallic-lustrous crystals or shiny gold-green (metallic) crystalline powder. (NTP, 1992) Source: CAMEO Chemicals
- Physical Description: Large Crystals; CBI; Wet Solid; Other Solid Source: EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR)
- Physical Description: Yellowish-bronze to gold-green metallic solid; [CAMEO] Slightly soluble in water; [ACGIH] Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
- Physical Description: PALE YELLOWISH BRONZE LUMPS WITH METALLIC LUSTRE. Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
- Solubility: less than 1 mg/mL at 70.7 °F (NTP, 1992) Source: CAMEO Chemicals
- Solubility: INSOL IN COLD WATER; SOL IN NITRIC ACID Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Solubility: Solubility in water, mg/l at 37 °C: 517 (practically insoluble) Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
- Substance: Nickel Subsulfide Source: NTP Technical Reports
- NTP Technical Report: TR-453: Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of Nickel Subsulfide (CASRN 12035-72-2) in F344/N Rats and B6C3F1 Mice (Inhalation Studies) (1996 ) Source: NTP Technical Reports
- Peer Review Date: 11/29/94 Source: NTP Technical Reports
- Conclusion for Male Rat: Clear Evidence Source: NTP Technical Reports
- Conclusion for Female Rat: Clear Evidence Source: NTP Technical Reports
- Conclusion for Male Mice: No Evidence Source: NTP Technical Reports
- Conclusion for Female Mice: No Evidence Source: NTP Technical Reports
- Summary: Under the conditions of these 2-year inhalation studies, there was clear evidence of carcinogenic activity of nickel subsulfide in male F344/N rats based on increased incidences of alveolar/bronchiolar adenoma, carcinoma, and adenoma or carcinoma (combined) and on increased incidences of benign, malignant, and benign or malignant (combined) pheochromocytoma of the adrenal medulla. There was clear evidence of carcinogenic activity of nickel subsulfide in female F344/N rats based on increased incidences of alveolar/bronchiolar carcinoma and alveolar/bronchiolar adenoma or carcinoma (combined) and an increased incidence of benign pheochromocytoma of the adrenal medulla. There was no evidence of carcinogenic activity of nickel subsulfide in male or female B6C3F1 mice exposed to 0.6 or 1.2 mg/m3.; Exposure of male and female rats to nickel subsulfide by inhalation for 2 years resulted in inflammation, hyperplasia, and fibrosis in the lung; inflammation and atrophy of the olfactory epithelium in the nose; and hyperplasia in the adrenal medulla (females). Exposure of male and female mice to nickel subsulfide by inhalation for 2 years resulted in inflammation, bronchialization, hyperplasia Source: NTP Technical Reports
- Carcinogen Classification: 1, carcinogenic to humans. (L135) Source: Toxin and Toxin Target Database (T3DB)
- Exposure Routes: The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation of its aerosol. Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
- Exposure Routes: Inhalation (L41) ; oral (L41) ; dermal (L41) Source: Toxin and Toxin Target Database (T3DB)
- First Aid: EYES: First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop.; SKIN: IMMEDIATELY flood affected skin with water while removing and isolating all contaminated clothing. Gently wash all affected skin areas thoroughly with soap and water. If symptoms such as redness or irritation develop, IMMEDIATELY call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital for treatment.; INHALATION: IMMEDIATELY leave the contaminated area; take deep breaths of fresh air. IMMEDIATELY call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, or burning in the mouth, throat, or chest) develop. Provide proper respiratory protection to rescuers entering an unknown atmosphere. Whenever possible, Self-Contained Breathing Ap Source: CAMEO Chemicals
- Signal: Danger Source: Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council
- GHS Hazard Statements: H317: May cause an allergic skin reaction [Warning Sensitization, Skin]; H331: Toxic if inhaled [Danger Acute toxicity, inhalation]; H341: Suspected of causing genetic defects [Warning Germ cell mutagenicity]; H350i: May cause cancer by inhalation [Danger Carcinogenicity]; H372 **: Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure [Danger Specific target organ toxicity, repeated exposure]; H400: Very toxic to aquatic life [Warning Hazardous to the aquatic environment, acute hazard]; H410: Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects [Warning Hazardous to the aquatic environment, long-term hazard] Source: Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council
- Precautionary Statement Codes: P203, P260, P261, P264, P270, P271, P272, P273, P280, P302+P352, P304+P340, P316, P318, P319, P321, P333+P317, P362+P364, P391, P403+P233, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement) Source: Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council
- Signal: Danger Source: NITE-CMC
- GHS Hazard Statements: H317: May cause an allergic skin reaction [Warning Sensitization, Skin]; H331: Toxic if inhaled [Danger Acute toxicity, inhalation]; H334: May cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled [Danger Sensitization, respiratory]; H341: Suspected of causing genetic defects [Warning Germ cell mutagenicity]; H350: May cause cancer [Danger Carcinogenicity]; H361: Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child [Warning Reproductive toxicity]; H371: May cause damage to organs [Warning Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure]; H372: Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure [Danger Specific target organ toxicity, repeated exposure] Source: NITE-CMC
- Precautionary Statement Codes: P203, P233, P260, P261, P264, P270, P271, P272, P280, P284, P302+P352, P304+P340, P308+P316, P316, P318, P319, P321, P333+P317, P342+P316, P362+P364, P403, P403+P233, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement) Source: NITE-CMC
- GHS Hazard Statements: H317: May cause an allergic skin reaction [Warning Sensitization, Skin]; H334: May cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled [Danger Sensitization, respiratory]; H350: May cause cancer [Danger Carcinogenicity]; H372: Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure [Danger Specific target organ toxicity, repeated exposure] Source: NITE-CMC
- Precautionary Statement Codes: P203, P233, P260, P261, P264, P270, P271, P272, P280, P284, P302+P352, P304+P340, P318, P319, P321, P333+P317, P342+P316, P362+P364, P403, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement) Source: NITE-CMC
- Health Effects: The most common harmful health effect of nickel in humans is an allergic reaction. This usually manifests as a skin rash, although some people experience asthma attacks. Long term inhahation of nickel causes chronic bronchitis and reduced lung function, as well as damage to the naval cavity. Ingestion of excess nickel results in damage to the stomach, blood, liver, kidneys, and immune system, as well as having adverse effects on reproduction and development. (L41) Source: Toxin and Toxin Target Database (T3DB)
- Toxicity Summary: ... Respiratory absorption with secondary gastrointestinal absorption of nickel (insoluble & soluble cmpd) is the major route of entry during occupational exposure. A significant quantity of inhaled material is swallowed following mucocillary clearance from the respiratory tract. Poor personal hygiene & work practices can contribute to gastrointestinal exposure. Percutaneous absorption is negligible, quantitatively, but is important in the pathogenesis of contact hypersensitivity. Absorption is related to the solubility of the cmpd, following the general relationships nickel carbonyl> soluble nickel cmpd> insoluble nickel cmpd. ... Long term inhalation exposure to ... nickel subsulfide caused mucosal damage & infalmmatory reaction in the respiratory tract in rats, mice & guinea pigs. ... Pulmonary fibrosis was seen in rats exposed to nickel subsulfide. In an inhalation study, nickel subsulfide induced benign & malignant pulmonary tumors in rats. ... Nickel subsulfide ... induced local mesenchymal tumors in a variety of experimental animals after im, sc, ip, intrapleural, intraocular, introsseous, intrarenal, intra-articular, intratesticular or intra-adipose admin. ... Nickel subsul Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Toxicity Summary: Nickel is known to substitute for other essential elements in certain enzmes, such as calcineurin. It is genotoxic, and some nickel compounds have been shown to promote cell proliferation. Nickel has a high affinity for chromatin proteins, particularly histones and protamines. The complexing of nickel ions with heterochromatin results in a number of alterations including condensation, DNA hypermethylation, gene silencing, and inhibition of histone acetylation, which have been shown to disturb gene expression. Nickel has also been shown to alter several transcription factors, including hypoxia-inducible transcription factor, activating transcription factor, and NF-KB transcription factor. There is also evidence that nickel ions inhibit DNA repair, either by directly inhibiting DNA repair enzymes or competing with zinc ions for binding to zinc-finger DNA binding proteins, resulting in structural changes in DNA that prevent repair enzymes from binding. Nickel ions can also complex with a number of cellular ligands including amino acids, peptides, and proteins resulting in the generation of oxygen radicals, which induce base damage, DNA strand breaks, and DNA protein crosslinks. (L41, Source: Toxin and Toxin Target Database (T3DB)
- Environmental Fate: IT IS NOT BELIEVED TO BE SIGNIFICANT ATMOSPHERIC OR WATER POLLUTANT. Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Consumer Uses: Intermediates; Other; Not Known or Reasonably Ascertainable; Catalyst; Intermediate Source: EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR)
- Industry Uses: Not Known or Reasonably Ascertainable; Catalyst; Intermediate; Other Source: EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR)
- Sources/Uses: Used in lithium primary batteries; [HSDB] Formed in smelting and refining of nickel ores and may be formed when nickel catalysts are used in petroleum refining; [ACGIH] Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
- Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: Battery Manufacturing [Category: Industry]; Metal Extraction and Refining [Category: Industry] Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
- Uses: In lithium primary batteries Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Mapped by: Existing checksum-valid CAS to unique PubChem CID match. Retrieved: 2026-08-31. Open source record
Scientific classifications and hazard annotations provide context and do not replace the market-specific regulatory decision shown above.
Additional source coverage and match status
| Source | Result | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| NIH PubChem PUG-View | Exact match | 2026-08-31 |
A recorded no-match is useful evidence that the source was checked; it is not a claim that the substance does not exist elsewhere.
Retrieved from NIH PubChem on 2026-08-31 by checksum-valid CAS matching. Chemical properties do not replace the regulatory decision on this page.