A white-coloured compound, it comes in crystals or powder form. In its aqueous form, it smells like bitter almonds. When absorbed by skin through wounds or inhalation and ingesting of hydrogen
cyanide
, it forms coloured toxic substances due to decomposition. The nitrogen oxides produced by burning this compound are toxic. The chemical compound consists of cyano groups with a carbon atom attached to a nitrogen atom with a triple bond. The chemical formula of Cyanide is CN
−
.
Occurrence
Many plants contain Cyanide, produced by particular bacteria, fungi, and algae. Specific seeds and fruit stones, including those of bitter almonds, apricots, apples, and peaches, contain Cyanide in considerable amounts.
Cyanogenic compounds are chemical compounds that can release cyanide. In plants, cyanides are bound to sugar molecules as cyanogenic compounds.
The cyanogenic glycosides in cassava root, also called manioc in tropical countries, protect plants from herbivores. It is also the basis for making tapioca, which contains cyanogenic glycosides.
Chemical Properties & Physical Properties
Cyanide is a white-in-color compound that occurs in the shape of crystals or powder. When found in its aqueous form, it smells much like bitter almonds. As we know, the chemical formula of Cyanide is CN
−
; similarly, the chemical formula of Hydrogen Cyanide is HCN.
Hydrogen Cyanide has a molecular weight of 27.0253 g/mol. Furthermore, its density is 0.6876 g/cm3. Its melting point is -13.4 °C, and its boiling point is 25.6 °C.
Nomenclature and Etymology
According to IUPAC nomenclature, organic compounds with a –C≡N functional group are called nitriles. They include examples such as acetonitrile (CH
3
CN), also known as methyl cyanide. Nitriles typically do not release cyanide ions. A different type of functional group, a cyanohydrin, has both a cyanide and hydroxyl bonded to the same carbon. Unlike nitriles, cyanohydrins do release hydrogen cyanide. In inorganic chemistry, salts containing the C≡N− ion are called cyanides. However, the carbon atom in the cyanide ion is not considered organic. The term "cyanide" comes from the Greek word 'kyanos', meaning dark blue, because it was first obtained by heating the pigment Prussian blue.
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Uses
In the mining industry, Cyanide is used to extract gold and silver. The main use of it is in clinical chemistry, mostly for measuring urine ketone bodies as a follow-up for patients with diabetes. It basically assists in dissolving these metals and their ores.
Moreover, it has also been responsible for human poisoning and has happened many times in history, as it is also used as a pest control agent, as well as in jewelry-making and photography.
Medical Uses
- Sodium nitroprusside, a cyanide compound, is commonly employed in clinical chemistry to measure urine ketone bodies as a follow-up for diabetic patients. In medical emergencies, it can also rapidly lower blood pressure in humans. Additionally, it acts as a vasodilator in vascular research. Interestingly, due to its purification process, artificial vitamin B-12 contains cobalt with a cyanide ligand. The body must eliminate this before the vitamin can be activated for biochemical use. Japanese physicians briefly utilized a copper cyanide compound during World War I to treat leprosy and tuberculosis.
Pest Control -
Coyotes, including other canids, are killed with M44 cyanide devices in the U.S. New Zealand also uses cyanide as a pest control agent for possums. This introduced marsupial threatens native species as well as spreading tuberculosis to cattle. Possums can become bait shy, but using cyanide pellets reduces the bait shyness in possums.
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Safety Hazards
Despite being toxic, cyanide's impact depends on how much and how long you are exposed to it and whether you have inhaled or ingested it.
In addition to being extremely toxic, all cyanide compounds can kill a person even in small amounts. Crystalline potassium cyanide is dissolvable in water and resembles salt or sugar. Contrary to what movies show you, ingesting it takes up to 45 minutes to work, so a person does not die immediately after ingesting it.
Moreover, hydrogen cyanide gas is more toxic, and it can cause instant death. It inhibits the body's oxygen distribution, resulting in chemical suffocation.
Although cyanide is quite toxic, its effects depend mainly on how much and how long you are exposed to it and whether or not you have ingested or inhaled it.
Several cyanide compounds are extremely toxic, and even a small amount may lead to death. Crystalline potassium cyanide dissolves in water and looks like regular salt or sugar. In contrast to what movies show you, consuming it doesn't immediately kill you, as it takes between 15 and 45 minutes to begin working.
Further, hydrogen cyanide gas is more toxic and can cause instant death. It restricts oxygen distribution to the body, resulting in chemical suffocation.
