Nomenclature
CAS number: 143-33-9
Sodium cyanide (Na(CN)); cyanogran.
CNNa; mol wt 49.01.
C 24.51%, N 28.58%, Na 46.91%.
NaCN.
Description and references
This cyanide of commerce is 95-98% pure. Mixtures
of sodium cyanide with sodium chloride or carbonate for special uses
are also marketed. Toxicity study: Smyth et al., Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J. 30, 470
(1969). Review of toxicology and human exposure: Toxicological Profile for Cyanide (PB98-101207,
1997) 291 pp.
Properties
White granules or fused pieces. Poisonous. Odorless when perfectly dry; somewhat
deliquesc in damp air and emits slight odor of HCN. mp 563°. Freely sol in water, slightly
in alcohol. The aq soln is strongly alkaline and rapidly decomposes;
the soln readily dissolves gold and silver in presence of air. Keep well closed. LD50 orally in rats: 15 mg/kg (Smyth).Caution
Potential symptoms of overexposure
are irritation of eyes and skin; weakness, headache and confusion;
nausea, vomiting; increased rate of respiration; slow gasping respiration;
asphyxia; thyroid and blood changes. See NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards (DHHS/NIOSH
97-140, 1997) p 282.Use
Extracting gold and silver from ores; electroplating
baths; case hardening steel by liquid nitriding; manuf hydrocyanic
acid and other cyanides. Complexing agent in analytical chemistry.