Barium cyanide

Last updated
Barium cyanide
Barium cyanide structure.svg
Names
IUPAC name
Barium dicyanide
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.008.021 OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
EC Number
  • 208-882-3
PubChem CID
UNII
  • InChI=1S/2CN.Ba/c2*1-2;/q2*-1;+2
    Key: UNLSXXHOHZUADN-UHFFFAOYSA-N
  • InChI=1/2CN.Ba/c2*1-2;/q2*-1;+2
    Key: UNLSXXHOHZUADN-UHFFFAOYAI
  • [Ba+2].[C-]#N.[C-]#N
Properties
Ba(CN)2
Molar mass 189.362 g/mol
Appearancewhite crystalline powder
Melting point 600 °C (1,112 °F; 873 K)
80 g/100 mL (14 °C)
Solubility Soluble in ethanol
Vapor pressure 740 mmHg
Hazards
GHS labelling:
GHS-pictogram-skull.svg GHS-pictogram-pollu.svg
Danger
H300, H310, H330, H410
P260, P262, P264, P270, P271, P273, P280, P284, P301+P316, P302+P352, P304+P340, P316, P320, P321, P330, P361+P364, P391, P403+P233, P405, P501
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)
NFPA 704.svgHealth 3: Short exposure could cause serious temporary or residual injury. E.g. chlorine gasFlammability 0: Will not burn. E.g. waterInstability 0: Normally stable, even under fire exposure conditions, and is not reactive with water. E.g. liquid nitrogenSpecial hazards (white): no code
3
0
0
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).

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.

Contents

Uses

Barium cyanide is used in electroplating and other metallurgical processes.

Preparation

Barium cyanide is prepared by reacting barium hydroxide with hydrocyanic acid:

Ba(OH)2 + 2HCN → Ba(CN)2 +2H2O

The product is crystallized from the solution.

Reactions

Barium 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]

Ba(CN)2 + 4 H2O = Ba(HCOO)2 + 2 NH3

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

  1. ↑ Greenwood, Norman N.; Earnshaw, Alan (1997). Chemistry of the Elements (2nd ed.). Butterworth-Heinemann. ISBN   978-0-08-037941-8.
  2. ↑ Smith, R P; Gosselin, R E (1976). "Current Concepts about the Treatment of Selected Poisonings: Nitrite, Cyanide, Sulfide, Barium, and Quinidine". Annual Review of Pharmacology and Toxicology. 16: 189–99. doi:10.1146/annurev.pa.16.040176.001201. PMID   779614.
  3. ↑ "Barium Cyanide – a Chemical Compound". Assignment Point. Retrieved 2025-06-27.
  4. ↑ "Barium Cyanide, Ba(CN)2". Atomistry. Retrieved 2012-11-01.


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