Barium cyanide
Names
IUPAC name
Barium dicyanide
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.008.021 Edit this at Wikidata
EC Number
  • 208-882-3
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
Appearance white crystalline powder
Melting point 600 °C (1,112 °F; 873 K)
18 g/100 mL (14 °C)
Solubility Soluble in ethanol
Hazards
GHS labelling:
GHS06: Toxic GHS09: Environmental hazard
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 four-colored diamondHealth 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.

Uses

Barium cyanide is used in electroplating and other metallurgical processes.

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.[citation needed]

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.[3]

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, Ba(CN)2". Atomistry. Retrieved 2012-11-01.


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