Barium cyanide
Barium cyanide is a chemical compound with the formula Ba(CN)2. It is synthesized by the reaction of hydrogen cyanide and barium hydroxide in water or petroleum ether.[1] It is a white crystalline salt. UsesBarium cyanide is used in electroplating and other metallurgical processes. PreparationBarium cyanide is prepared by reacting barium hydroxide with hydrocyanic acid:
The product is crystallized from the solution. ReactionsBarium cyanide reacts with water and carbon dioxide in air slowly, producing highly toxic hydrogen cyanide gas.[2] When barium cyanide is heated to 300°C with steam present, the nitrogen evolves to ammonia, leaving barium formate.[3]
Aqueous solutions of barium cyanide dissolve insoluble cyanides of some of the heavy metals forming crystalline double salts. For example, BaHg(CN)4.3H2O in needles, 2Ba(CN)2.3Hg(CN)2.23H2O in transparent octahedra, and Ba(CN)2.Hg(CN)2.HgI2.6H2O.[4] References
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