Dicyanide

Dicyanide is a chemical term that can refer to a variety of compounds containing two cyanide groups (CN). The most common interpretation and potentially dangerous compound that might be implied by "dicyanide" is cyanogen (C2N2), which is a gas. Cyanogen is a highly toxic gas with a pungent odor. It is produced industrially for various applications, including use as a fumigant and in the synthesis of other chemicals. It can also be formed during incomplete combustion of nitrogen-containing organic materials. Cyanogen is a strong oxidizing agent and can react violently with certain substances.

Another interpretation of dicyanide could refer to organic molecules where two cyanide functional groups are attached to the same molecule. These compounds would have different properties depending on the rest of the molecular structure. For example, malononitrile (CH2(CN)2) is a dicyanide where two cyanide groups are attached to a single carbon atom. Malononitrile is a crystalline solid and is used as a reagent in organic synthesis. The term "dicyanide" is not a systematically defined chemical nomenclature class on its own and usually requires further specification to identify the exact compound. Due to the high toxicity associated with cyanide groups, compounds referred to as dicyanides should be handled with extreme caution.