Cyanide

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In chemistry, a cyanide is an inorganic chemical compound that contains a C≡N functional group. This group, known as the cyano group, consists of a carbon atom triple-bonded to a nitrogen atom. The name, from Greek kyanos 'dark blue', comes from the compound's historical association with the Prussian dark blue pigment. Ionic cyanides contain the cyanide anion −C≡N. This anion is extremely toxic and causes cyanide poisoning. Soluble cyanide salts such as sodium cyanide (NaCN), potassium cyanide (KCN) and tetraethylammonium cyanide ([(CH3CH2)4N]CN) are also highly toxic. Covalent cyanides contain the −C≡N group, and are usually called nitriles if the group is linked by a single covalent bond to carbon atom. For example, in acetonitrile CH3−C≡N, the cyanide group is bonded to methyl −CH3. In tetracyanomethane C(−C≡N)4, four cyano groups are bonded to carbon. Although nitriles generally do not release cyanide ions, the cyanohydrins do and are thus toxic. The cyano group may be covalently bonded...

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