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cyanide
A compound containing the –CN group. Organic cyanides are called nitriles. Inorganic cyanides are salts of hydrocyanic acid (HCN), a volatile weak acid; both are highly toxic. Sodium cyanide is made by the Castner process: ammonia is passed through a mixture of carbon and fused sodium. The cyanide ion (CN-) is a pseudohalogen, and forms many complexes. Cyanides are used in the extraction of gold and silver, electroplating and casehardening.
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• ORGANIC CHEMISTRY• INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
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