Cyanide Chemistry

The term "cyanide" refers to a chemical compound containing one atom of carbon and one atom of nitrogen. The technical definition of cyanide is:

Cyanide: A triple-bonded molecule with a negative one charge consisting of one atom of carbon in the +2 oxidation state and one atom of nitrogen in the -3 oxidation state.

Cyanide is a unique chemical compound used to manufacture hundreds of everyday goods, and chances are that today you will use many products that included cyanide in its manufacture. These products may include vitamins, jewelry, adhesives, computer electronics, fire retardants, airplane brakes, cosmetics, dyes, nylon, nailpolish remover, paints, pharmaceuticals, Plexiglas, rocket propellant, and table salt. The manufacturing of these productstakes place every day around the world with little knowledge from the general public that cyanide isa critical ingredient in their manufacture. Indeed, without cyanide it would not be possible to manufacture such widely used items as nylon and many vitamins and other medications.

Cyanide is a relatively toxic compound but has been safely used for well over a hundred years around the world. Many people have a natural fear of cyanide that arises from a general understanding of its toxicity but a less thorough understanding of its actual properties and usefulness in our everyday lives. As with any chemical, cyanide must be properly and safely handled to avoid harm to people or the environment. The benefit people derive from cyanide and its many products far outweighs the risk posed to people and the environment.

The human body has a natural ability to detoxify small quantities of cyanide, and there is normally a small amount of cyanide and its breakdown products in the body as a result of everyday activities. These activities may include the metabolism of vitamin B12, eating of foods naturally containing cyanide (for example, almonds, lima beans, coffee and table salt), exposure to automobile exhaust and smoking cigarettes. In some form, we are exposed to low levels of natural and manmade cyanide every day without risk to our health or the environment.

Cyanide Equilibrium (47 kB)
Graph of pH equilibrium relationship between cyanide anion (CN) and molecular hydrogen cyanide (HCN).

The Cyanide Cycle (164 kB)
The Cyanide Cycle is a graphical representation of the various chemical, physical and biological reactions associated with cyanide compounds in the natural environment.

Manmade Sources and Uses of Cyanide

Cyanide is Widely Used to Manufacture Common Consumer Goods
Hydrogen cyanide is the basic form from which most major cyanide compounds are derived. It has been produced worldwide for many years using basic chemicals such as ammonia and natural gas. About three million tonnes of hydrogen cyanide is produced annually worldwide, of which about 6% is converted into sodium cyanide and used in the metals industries (mining and metal plating). The remaining 94% of the hydrogen cyanide is used in the production of a wide range of industrial and consumer items.

Cigarette Smoke Contains Hydrogen Cyanide
If you smoke, you are exposing yourself to elevated levels of hydrogen cyanide gas.

Foods You Eat May Contain Cyanide
Many common foods eaten by people every day contain naturally elevated levels of cyanide, including cassava, cherries, almonds, lima beans and sorghum.

Inert Cyanide Compounds Are Present in Table Salt (16 kB)
Inert iron cyanide compounds have been used for many years as anti-caking agents in road and table salts.

Cyanide is Ingredient in Fire Retardant
Commercial fire retardants often contain cyanide as an ingredient. Although of little environmental significance, cyanide is being targeted for removal from retardants.

Foods With Trace Levels of Cyanide May Fight Cancer
A professional nutritionist offers over 300 tasty recipes rich in the cyanide containing substances that many scientists believe is nature's control for cancer. Cyanide, in minute quantities and in proper food forms, instead of being poisonous, actually may be essential to health.

Iron Cyanide Being Used in Health and Beauty Products
News about the safety of popular health & beauty brands.

The History and Use of Prussian Blue or Iron Cyanide.
The first modern, artificially manufactured color.

Natural Sources of Cyanide

Many Plants and Animals Produce Cyanide Naturally
Cyanide is naturally produced by many plants and insects as a natural defense mechanism.  One example is the Elderberry bush that grows throughout the Western US.

Cyanide Naturally Present in Major Food Source
Cassava is a major food source for millions of people in developing countries that naturally contains cyanide. Cassava requires careful harvesting and preparation techniques to avoid possible health effects associated with cyanide ingestion. More About Cassava

Cyanide in Gold Mining

How is Gold Produced?
Simplified diagram prepared by The Gold Institute describing how gold is produced using cyanide.