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Sodium cyanide
Molecular formula	NaCN
Molar mass	49.01 g/mol
Appearance	white solid
CAS number	[143-33-9]
Properties
Density and phase	1.6 g/cm³, solid
Solubility in water	48 g/100 ml (10°C)
Solubility in other solvents	soluble in alcohols
Melting point	564°C (837 K)
Boiling point	1496°C (1769 K)
Structure
Coordination geometry	?
Crystal structure	?
Hazards
MSDS	External MSDS
EU classification	Very toxic (T+) Dangerous for the environment (N)
R-phrases	R26/27/28, R32 R50/53
S-phrases	S1/2, S7, S28, S29 S45, S60, S61
Supplementary data page
Structure & properties	n, εr, etc.
Thermodynamic data	Phase behaviour Solid, liquid, gas
Spectral data	UV, IR, NMR, MS
Related compounds
Other cations	Potassium cyanide
Related compounds	Hydrogen cyanide
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25°C, 100 kPa) Infobox disclaimer and references

Sodium cyanide is a highly toxic chemical compound, also known as sodium salt of hydrocyanic acid and cyanogran. Immediate medical attention is required in the event of cyanide poisoning, as it is quickly fatal. Like the similar potassium cyanide, NaCN has a smell like bitter almonds, but not everyone can smell it due to a genetic trait.

Sodium cyanide is used to extract gold and other precious metals from ore, and so metal mining operations consume most of the sodium cyanide production; see cyanide process for the use in gold mining. Sodium cyanide is illegally used to collect fish; see cyanide fishing. Accidents with cyanide solutions are a severe danger to aquatic ecosystems. It is often used by entomologists as a killing agent in collecting jars, as most insects succumb within seconds, minimizing damage of even the most fragile types.

Contents 1 Toxicity 2 Source 3 See also 4 External links

Main article: Cyanide

Cyanide salts are among the most rapidly acting of all known poisons. Cyanide is a potent inhibitor of respiration, acting on mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase and hence blocking electron transport. This results in decreased oxidative metabolism and oxygen utilization. Lactic acidosis then occurs as a consequence of anaerobic metabolism. Initially, acute cyanide poisoning causes a red or ruddy complexion in the victim because the tissues are not able to use the oxygen in the blood.

The effects of sodium cyanide are similar to potassium cyanide. Once more than 100–200 mg of sodium cyanide is consumed, consciousness is lost within one minute, sometimes within 10 seconds, depending on the strength of the body's immunity and the amount of food present in the stomach. After a span of about 45 minutes, the body goes into a state of coma or deep sleep and the person may die within two hours if not treated medically. During this period, convulsions may occur. Death occurs mainly by cardiac arrest.

• Institut national de recherche et de sécurité (1997). "Cyanure de sodium. Cyanure de potassium". Fiche toxicologique n° 111, Paris:INRS, 6pp. (PDF file, in French)

• Summitville mine
• Cyanide

• International Chemical Safety Card 1118
• Hydrogen cyanide and cyanides (CICAD 61)
• National Pollutant Inventory - Cyanide compounds fact sheet
• NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
• EINECS number 205-599-4
• CID 8929 from PubChem
• CSST (Canada)
• Sodium cyanide hazards to fish and other wildlife from gold

• Links to external chemical sources