Potassium cyanide

Potassium cyanide is a compound with the <a href="/facts/Chemical_formula/hghUtthl">formula</a> KCN. It is a colorless salt, similar in appearance to <a href="/facts/Sugar/jb5KXRHT">sugar</a>, that is highly <a href="/facts/Soluble/kLE9h3Jb">soluble</a> in water. Most KCN is used in <a href="/facts/Gold_mining/9Uslr31T">gold mining</a>, <a href="/facts/Organic_synthesis/aprl6Iq7">organic synthesis</a>, and <a href="/facts/Electroplating/HbKf0SBb">electroplating</a>. Smaller applications include <a href="/facts/Jewellery/DYt7cj0R">jewellery</a> for chemical <a href="/facts/Gilding/Q109QPJs">gilding</a> and <a href="/facts/Buffing/0aj8YBr4">buffing</a>. Potassium cyanide is highly toxic, and a dose of 200 to 300 milligrams will kill nearly any human.
The moist solid emits small amounts of <a href="/facts/Hydrogen_cyanide/vNtA0Mxe">hydrogen cyanide</a> due to <a href="/facts/Hydrolysis/JTvwIHPs">hydrolysis</a> (reaction with water). Hydrogen cyanide is often described as having an odor resembling that of <a href="/facts/Almond/oArfgmdq">bitter almonds</a>.
The taste of potassium cyanide has been described as acrid and bitter, with a burning sensation[unreliable source?] similar to lye.

Potassium cyanide open-in-new

Potassium cyanide