K in KCN stands for potassium, C stands for carbon and N stands for nitrogen. Potassium cyanide is an inorganic compound in the form of white crystal or crystalline powder. It is soluble in water and alkaline in water. Potassium cyanide can be used in some chemical experiments, metal surface treatment and metallurgical industry. Potassium cyanide is a highly toxic substance and should be used in strict accordance with safety operation procedures.

Potassium cyanide has certain application value in industry and laboratory. The following are some common application areas:

1. metal extraction: potassium cyanide is widely used for cyanide leaching in gold mine extraction. In gold mines, gold is dissolved from the ore by forming cyanide complexes with gold.

2. Electroplating: Potassium cyanide can be used as a component of electroplating solution in electroplating industry for electroplating metal products, such as jewelry and metal ornaments.

3. Chemical reagent: Potassium cyanide can be used as a chemical reagent in some laboratories. For example, in organic synthesis reactions, potassium cyanide can be used as a donor of cyano groups.

Potassium cyanide (KCN) has no corresponding oxide. Cyanide is a compound formed by cyano (C≡N) and metal or nonmetal elements. Because cyanide is toxic and dangerous, its application is strictly restricted and controlled. During storage and treatment, potassium cyanide may react with moisture and carbon dioxide in the air to generate hydrocyanic acid (HCN), which is a colorless gas and highly toxic.

Potassium cyanide reaction

Redox reaction: under appropriate conditions, potassium cyanide can undergo redox reaction to oxidize or reduce its cyano group (C≡N). For example, potassium cyanide can react with hydrogen peroxide to produce cyanic acid (HCN) and water.

Acid-base reaction: Potassium cyanide can react with acid or alkali to generate corresponding salt and water. For example, reaction with hydrochloric acid can produce potassium chloride and hydrocyanic acid.

Metal complexation reaction: Potassium cyanide can form complexes with some metal ions. This complexation reaction is widely used in cyanide leaching process of gold ore extraction, and gold is dissolved from ore by forming gold cyanide complex.