Sodium Cyanide

is a highly toxic, inorganic chemical compound.

  • Chemical formula: NaCN
  • Composition: Made of sodium (Na⁺) and cyanide (CN⁻) ions.
  • Appearance: White crystalline solid, often resembling salt or sugar.
  • Smell: Faint, bitter almond-like odour (not detectable by everyone).
  • Solubility: Dissolves readily in water, producing a strongly alkaline solution.

Application & Usage

Mining Industry (Gold & Silver Extraction)

  • Cyanidation process: NaCN is the most common chemical used to extract gold and silver from ores.
  • Gold forms a soluble complex [Au(CN)2]−[Au(CN)₂]⁻[Au(CN)2​]− with cyanide, allowing it to be separated and recovered.
  • This is the largest global use of sodium cyanide.

Electroplating & Metal Processing

  • Used in electroplating baths for gold, silver, and other metals.
  • Helps dissolve metals and deposit them evenly on surfaces.
  • Also used in metal cleaning and surface treatment.

Chemical Manufacturing

  • Intermediate for producing chemicals such as:
  • Cyanuric chloride (used in herbicides and pesticides).
  • Nitriles (used in plastics, pharmaceuticals, and dyes).
  • Organic intermediates for pharmaceuticals.

Pharmaceuticals & Dyes

  • Used in small-scale synthesis of certain medicines and dye precursors.