Nickel Chloride

Brief Overview
Nickel (II) chloride (nickel chloride) is the chemical compound NiCl₂. The anhydrous salt is yellow, but the more familiar hydrate NiCl₂·6H₂O is green. It is very rarely found in nature as mineral nickel bischofite. Nickel (II) chloride, in various forms, is the most important source of nickel for chemical synthesis. Nickel salts have been shown to be carcinogenic to the lungs and nasal passages, in cases of long-term inhalation exposure. They are also deliquescent, absorbing moisture from the air to form a solution.  

Manufacturing Process
Nickel ores are mined for the production of nickel matte and metallic nickel. Nickel chloride is obtained from nickel matte used in the production of metallic nickel. Nickel chloride is also obtained from nickel metal produced from these ores.

Biological Applications
It is a source of nickel ion for cell culture and toxicological studies, such as in the blockage of ion channel activity.

Electroplating
It is utilized in electroplating and nickel-plating.

Organic Synthesis
Nickel chloride is used for the preparation of nickel coordination compounds, antiseptic and catalyzer.

Others
It is used as an NH₃ absorbant in gas masks.