Cadmium cyanide

Cadmium cyanide

Names
IUPAC name Cadmium(II) cyanide
Identifiers
CAS Number	542-83-6 Y
ChemSpider	61630 Y
Jmol 3D model	Interactive image
PubChem	68335
InChI InChI=1S/2CN.Cd/c2*1-2;/q2*-1;+2 Y Key: NHMJUOSYSOOPDM-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y InChI=1/2CN.Cd/c2*1-2;/q2*-1;+2 Key: NHMJUOSYSOOPDM-UHFFFAOYAI
SMILES [Cd+2].[C-]#N.[C-]#N
Properties
Chemical formula	Cd(CN)2
Molar mass	164.45 g/mol
Appearance	white cubic crystals
Density	2.226 g/cm3
Solubility in water	1.71 g/100 mL (15 °C) 2.2 g/100 mL (20 °C)
Solubility	slightly soluble in alcohol dissolves in alkali, metal cyanides and hydroxides
Vapor pressure	{{{value}}}
Related compounds
Other anions	Cadmium chloride, Cadmium iodide
Other cations	Zinc cyanide, Calcium cyanide, Magnesium cyanide
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Infobox references

Cadmium cyanide is an inorganic compound with the formula Cd(CN)₂. This white crystalline compound is used in electroplating. It is very toxic, along with other cadmium and cyanide compounds.

Usage

It is used as an electrolyte for electrodeposition of thin metallic cadmium coatings on metal to protect against corrosion.

Preparation and structure

Cadmium cyanide is prepared by treating cadmium hydroxide with hydrogen cyanide:

Cd(OH)₂ + 2 HCN → Cd(CN)₂ + 2 H₂O

It adopts a diamondoid structure, like Zn(CN)₂.

Reactions

Like zinc cyanide, cadmium cyanide is fairly soluble in water, which is unusual for metal cyanides. The solubility increases with the additional cyanide, this reaction proceeding via "[Cd(CN)₃]⁻" and [Cd(CN)₄]²⁻. With acids, its solutions evolve hydrogen cyanide.