Potassium Cyanide

KCN

IUPAC: Potassium cyanide

CAS: 151-50-8

Overview

Potassium cyanide is an extremely toxic salt that has been used in gold mining, electroplating, and organic synthesis. It is lethal in milligram doses.

Composition

Element Symbol Atoms Atomic Mass
Carbon C 1 12.0110
Nitrogen N 1 14.0070
Potassium K 1 39.0980

Elemental Composition

C
Carbon ×1
18.4%
N
Nitrogen ×1
21.5%
K
Potassium ×1
60.0%

Uses

  • • Gold extraction
  • • Electroplating
  • • Organic synthesis
  • • Photography

Fun Facts

  • ✦ Has been used in gold mining since the 1880s, extracting gold from low-grade ores

Safety

  • ⚠ Extremely toxic
  • ⚠ Lethal dose ~200 mg
  • ⚠ Releases HCN with acid

Structure

SMILES

[C-]#N.[K+]

Properties

Type
inorganic
State
solid
Molar Mass
65.12 g/mol
Density
1.5200 g/cm³
Melting Point
634.0 °C
Boiling Point
1625.0 °C
Solubility
716 g/L at 25°C

Molecular Descriptors

Exact Mass
64.9668
TPSA
23.8 Ų
H-Bond Donors
0
H-Bond Acceptors
2
Rotatable Bonds
0
Heavy Atoms
3
Complexity
12.0

Related Compounds

Aluminum Chloride

AlCl₃

Aluminum Nitride

AlN

Ammonium Persulfate

(NH₄)₂S₂O₈

Arsine

AsH₃

Barium Ferrite

BaFe₁₂O₁₉

Barium Titanate

BaTiO₃

Boron Nitride

BN

Boron Trichloride

BCl₃

Calcium Aluminate Cement

CaO·Al₂O₃

Calcium Carbide

CaC₂

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Potassium Cyanide?
Potassium Cyanide (KCN) is a inorganic compound with the IUPAC name Potassium cyanide.
What is the molecular weight of Potassium Cyanide?
Potassium Cyanide has a molar mass of 65.12 g/mol.
What state is Potassium Cyanide at room temperature?
Potassium Cyanide is a solid at room temperature.
Is Potassium Cyanide organic or inorganic?
Potassium Cyanide is classified as an inorganic compound.
What elements make up Potassium Cyanide?
Potassium Cyanide (KCN) is composed of Carbon (C), Nitrogen (N), Potassium (K).