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Hydrogen Cyanide
Product Categories, Description and Properties
Segment
Chemicals
Main-Family
Functional Organic Products
Sub-Family
Nitriles
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Description

Hydrogen cyanide (chemical formula H−C≡N), also known as hydrocyanic acid, is is classified as an organic compound because it belongs to the class of nitriles, which are organic compounds characterized by the functional group R−C≡N, where R can be a hydrogen atom or an organic group. In the case of HCN, R is hydrogen, making it the simplest nitrile.
It is a highly toxic and flammable chemical compound with a faint odor of bitter almonds, though not everyone can detect it.
HCN is a colorless or pale blue liquid that boils slightly above room temperature at 25.6°C (78.1°F). It is a weak acid with a pKa of 9.2 and partially ionizes in water to form the cyanide anion (CN−).
It is used in various industrial applications, including the production of plastics, mining, and as a fumigant. However, due to its extreme toxicity, HCN is also known for its use as a poison and its potential as a chemical weapon.

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Properties
Status
A
Unit of Measure
Metric Ton
Physical State

Liquid

System Info
Update by
UserPic  Kokel, Nicolas
Last Update
3/23/2025 7:24 AM
Added
3/21/2025 6:24 PM
Products Picture
Hydrogen Cyanide molecular structure https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrogen_cyanide
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Product Title Date
  UserPic *Hydrogen Cyanide Hydrogen Cyanide (HCN) added. 3/21/2025