Calcium cyanide

Calcium cyanide
Names
IUPAC name
calcium dicyanide
Systematic IUPAC name
calcium dicyanide
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.008.856
EC Number
  • 209-740-0
UNII
  • InChI=1S/2CN.Ca/c2*1-2;/q2*-1;+2
  • [Ca+2].[C-]#N.[C-]#N
Properties
Ca(CN)2
Molar mass 92.1128 g/mol
Appearance white powder
Odor hydrogen cyanide
Density 1.853 (20 °C)
Melting point 640 °C (1,184 °F; 913 K) (decomposes)
soluble
Solubility soluble in alcohol, weak acids
Structure
rhombohedric
Hazards
Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH):
Main hazards
Highly Toxic
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)
3
0
1
Non-flammable
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
39 mg/kg rat, oral
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references

Calcium cyanide is the inorganic compound with the formula Ca(CN)2. It is the calcium salt derived from hydrocyanic acid. It is a white solid, although the pure material is rarely encountered. It slowly hydrolyses in solution or moist air to release hydrogen cyanide and is very toxic.