Cyanide
Cyanide refers to a family of chemical species that contain the cyano group CN−, including hydrogen cyanide (HCN) gas and metal cyanide salts such as sodium cyanide (NaCN) and potassium cyanide (KCN). Organic nitriles (R-CN) are closely related but distinct from cyanides themselves. In aqueous solution at physiological pH, cyanide exists mainly as CN− and an equilibrium with HCN.
Cyanide is highly toxic to humans and many other organisms. It inhibits mitochondrial respiration by binding
Sources and production: cyanides occur naturally in trace amounts in some seeds and fruit pits (for example,
Applications: in mining, cyanide leaching dissolves gold and silver from ore via formation of soluble dicyano
Safety and regulation: due to acute toxicity and environmental hazards, cyanides are subject to strict handling,