Potassium cyanide
Potassium Cyanide (KCN)
Potassium cyanide (pronounced: puh-TAS-ee-um SIGH-uh-nide) is a highly toxic compound that is an inhibitor of many metabolic processes, but most notably of those involving oxygen usage.
Etymology
The term "Potassium" is derived from "potash", the ashes of plants, from which its name derives. "Cyanide" refers to a compound containing a cyano group (C≡N).
Description
Potassium cyanide is a colorless crystalline compound, similar in appearance to sugar, which is highly soluble in water. Most KCN is used in gold mining, organic synthesis, and electroplating. Smaller applications include jewelry for chemical gilding and buffing.
Toxicity
Potassium cyanide is highly toxic. The moist solid emits small amounts of hydrogen cyanide due to hydrolysis, which smells like bitter almonds. Not everyone, however, can smell this odor: the ability to do so is a genetic trait.
Treatment
The treatment of cyanide poisoning involves the administration of oxygen and the intravenous administration of a sodium nitrite solution, followed by sodium thiosulfate.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Potassium cyanide
- Wikipedia's article - Potassium cyanide
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