View source for Sodium cyanide

{{Chembox new
|   Name = Sodium cyanide
| Section1 = {{Chembox Identifiers
|   CASNo = 143-33-9
|   PubChem = 
|   SMILES = }}
| Section2 = {{Chembox Properties
|   Formula = NaCN
|   MolarMass = 49.01 g/mol
|   Appearance = white solid
  }}
| Section7 = {{Chembox Hazards
|   Main Hazard = Extremely Toxic if swallowed, inhaled or if in contact with skin

 }}
| Section8 = {{Chembox Related
|   OtherCpds = [[Hydrogen cyanide]]}}
}}
{{CMG}}



[[Image:Chemung mine-sodium cyanide.jpeg|thumb|Sodium cyanide.]]
'''Sodium cyanide''' is a highly [[toxic]] [[chemical compound]], also known as '''sodium salt of [[Hydrogen cyanide|hydrocyanic acid]]''' and '''cyanogran'''.  Immediate [[medicine|medical]] attention is required in the event of [[cyanide poisoning]], as it is quickly fatal. Like the similar [[potassium cyanide]], NaCN has a smell like [[bitter almond]]s, but not everyone can smell it due to a genetic trait.

Sodium cyanide is used to extract [[gold]] and other precious metals from [[ore]], and so metal [[mining]] operations consume most of the sodium cyanide production; see [[cyanide process]] for the use in gold mining. Sodium cyanide is illegally used to collect fish; see [[cyanide fishing]]. Accidents with cyanide solutions are a severe danger to aquatic [[ecosystem]]s. It is often used by [[entomologist]]s as a killing agent in collecting jars, as most [[insect]]s succumb within seconds, minimizing damage of even the most fragile types.

==Toxicity==
{{main|Cyanide poisoning}}
Cyanide salts are among the most rapidly acting of all known poisons.  Cyanide is a potent inhibitor of [[cellular respiration|respiration]], acting on mitochondrial [[cytochrome oxidase]] and hence blocking electron transport. This results in decreased oxidative metabolism and oxygen utilization. Lactic acidosis then occurs as a consequence of anaerobic metabolism.  Initially, acute cyanide poisoning causes a red or ruddy complexion in the victim because the tissues are not able to use the oxygen in the blood.

The effects of sodium cyanide are similar to [[potassium cyanide]]. Once more than 100&ndash;200 mg of sodium cyanide is consumed, consciousness is lost within one minute, sometimes within 10 seconds, depending on the strength of the body's immunity and the amount of food present in the stomach. After a span of about 45 minutes, the body goes into a state of [[coma]] or deep sleep and the person may die within two hours if not treated medically. During this period, convulsions may occur. Death occurs mainly by [[cardiac arrest]].

==Source==
*Institut national de recherche et de sécurité (1997). "[http://www.inrs.fr/inrs-pub/inrs01.nsf/inrs01_ftox_view/48145297F4EF18BBC1256CE8005A9FC2/$File/ft111.pdf Cyanure de sodium. Cyanure de potassium]". ''Fiche toxicologique n° 111'', Paris:INRS, 6pp. (PDF file, ''in French'')

==See also==
*[[Summitville mine]]
*[[Cyanide]]

==References==
<references/>

==External links==
* [http://www.ilo.org/public/english/protection/safework/cis/products/icsc/dtasht/_icsc11/icsc1118.htm International Chemical Safety Card 1118]
* [http://www.inchem.org/documents/cicads/cicads/cicad61.htm Hydrogen cyanide and cyanides] ([[CICAD]] 61)
* [http://www.npi.gov.au/database/substance-info/profiles/29.html National Pollutant Inventory - Cyanide compounds fact sheet]
* [http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/npgd0562.html NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards]
* {{EINECSLink|205-599-4}}
* {{PubChemLink|8929}}
* [http://www.reptox.csst.qc.ca/Produit.asp?no_produit=4275&nom=Sodium+cyanide CSST (Canada)]
* [http://www.cerc.usgs.gov/pubs/center/pdfdocs/90972.pdf Sodium cyanide hazards to fish and other wildlife from gold]

<br>

[[Category:Cyanides]]
[[Category:Sodium compounds]]

[[ar:سيانيد صوديوم]]
[[bs:Natrijum cijanid]]
[[cs:Kyanid sodný]]
[[de:Natriumcyanid]]
[[es:Cianuro de sodio]]
[[fr:Cyanure de sodium]]
[[it:Cianuro di sodio]]
[[hu:Nátrium-cianid]]
[[nl:Natriumcyanide]]
[[ja:シアン化ナトリウム]]
[[pl:Cyjanek sodu]]
[[pt:Cianeto de sódio]]
[[ru:Цианид натрия]]
[[fi:Natriumsyanidi]]
[[vi:Xyanua natri]]


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