Cyanide

Hydrogen cyanide is an extremely poisonous, flammable liquid that boils slightly above room temperature.

Cyanide can refer to any compound that contains a carbon-nitrogen triple bond. Toxic cyanides are those that release the carbon-nitrogen ion, which is the carbon and nitrogen atom but without the hydrogen atom’s proton. The hydrogen atom’s electron, however, clings onto the carbon and nitrogen atoms, yielding the C≡N‾ ion.

Deadly forms of cyanide include sodium cyanide (NaCN), potassium cyanide (KCN), cyanogen chloride (CNCl) hydrogen cyanide (HCN).

Please note, this safety data sheet is for a mixture of less than 0.1% (0 to 999 parts per million) hydrogen cyanide in a balance of nitrogen gas. Pure hydrogen cyanide is not sold commercially.