Barium cyanide is a chemical compound with the formula Ba(CN)2. It is synthesized by the reaction of hydrogen cyanide and barium hydroxide in water or petroleum ether. It is a white crystalline salt.
Uses
Barium cyanide is used in electroplating and other metallurgical processes. ==Preparation==
Preparation
Barium cyanide is prepared by reacting barium hydroxide with hydrocyanic acid: :Ba(OH)2 + 2HCN → Ba(CN)2 +2H2O The product is crystallized from the solution. ==Reactions==
Reactions
Barium cyanide reacts with water and carbon dioxide in air slowly, producing highly toxic hydrogen cyanide gas. When barium cyanide is heated to 300°C with steam present, the nitrogen evolves to ammonia, leaving barium formate. :Ba(CN)2 + 4 H2O = Ba(HCOO)2 + 2 NH3 Aqueous solutions of barium cyanide dissolve insoluble cyanides of some of the heavy metals forming crystalline double salts. For example, BaHg(CN)4.3H2O in needles, 2Ba(CN)2.3Hg(CN)2.23H2O in transparent octahedra, and Ba(CN)2.Hg(CN)2.HgI2.6H2O. ==References==