The cyanide ion, CN⁻.
From the top:
1. Valence-bond structure
2. Space-filling model
3. Space-filling models (also known as calotte models or CPK models by Corey, Pauling and Koltun like Ball-and-stick models belong Electrostatic potential surface
4. 'Carbon lone pair' HOMO

A cyanide is any chemical compound that contains the cyano group (C≡N), which consists of a carbon atom triple-bonded to a nitrogen atom. HOMO and LUMO are Acronyms for highest occupied Molecular orbital and lowest unoccupied Molecular orbital, respectively A chemical compound is a substance consisting of two or more different elements chemically bonded together in a fixed proportion by Mass. A nitrile is any Organic compound which has a - C ≡ N Functional group. Carbon (kɑɹbən is a Chemical element with the symbol C and its Atomic number is 6 History See also Atomic theory, Atomism The concept that matter is composed of discrete units and cannot be divided into arbitrarily tiny A chemical bond is the physical process responsible for the attractive interactions between Atoms and Molecules and which confers stability to diatomic and polyatomic Nitrogen (ˈnaɪtɹəʤɪn is a Chemical element that has the symbol N and Atomic number 7 and Atomic weight 14 Cyanide specifically is the anion CN^-. An ion is an Atom or Molecule which has lost or gained one or more Valence electrons giving it a positive or negative electrical charge Many organic compounds feature cyanide as a functional group; these are called nitriles in IUPAC nomenclature (for example, CH₃CN is referred to by the names acetonitrile or ethanenitrile per IUPAC, but occasionally it is labeled using the common name methyl cyanide). An organic compound is any member of a large class of Chemical compounds whose Molecules contain Carbon. In Organic chemistry, functional groups are specific groups of Atoms within Molecules that are responsible for the characteristic Chemical reactions A nitrile is any Organic compound which has a - C ≡ N Functional group. The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry ( IUPAC) (aɪjuːpæk or ay-yoo-pec) is an international Non-governmental organization Acetonitrile (ACN is the Chemical compound with formula CH3CN In Chemistry, a methyl group is a Hydrophobic Alkyl Functional group named after Methane (4 Of the many kinds of cyanide compounds, some are gases, others are solids or liquids. Those that can release the cyanide ion CN^- are highly toxic. An ion is an Atom or Molecule which has lost or gained one or more Valence electrons giving it a positive or negative electrical charge

The word "cyanide" comes from the Greek word for "blue", in reference to hydrogen cyanide, which was called Blausäure ("blue acid") in German after its preparation by acid treatment of Prussian blue. Greek (el ελληνική γλώσσα or simply el ελληνικά — "Hellenic" is an Indo-European language, spoken today by 15-22 million people mainly Hydrogen cyanide is a Chemical compound with Chemical formula HCN Prussian blue is a very dark blue colorfast non-toxic Pigment – one of the first synthetic Dyes – which was discovered accidentally in Berlin in 1704 ^[1]

Appearance and odor

Hydrogen cyanide (HCN) is a colorless gas with a faint bitter almond-like odor. Hydrogen cyanide is a Chemical compound with Chemical formula HCN This page is about the physical properties of gas as a state of matter The Almond ( Prunus dulcis, syn Prunus amygdalus Batsch Amygdalus communis L Most people can smell hydrogen cyanide; however, due to an apparent genetic trait, some individuals cannot detect the odor of HCN. Genetics (from Ancient Greek grc-Latn genetikos, “genitive” and that from grc-Latn genesis, “origin” a discipline of Biology, is ^[2] Sodium cyanide and potassium cyanide are both white powders with a bitter almond-like odor in damp air, due to the presence of hydrogen cyanide formed by hydrolysis:

NaCN + H₂O → HCN + NaOH

KCN + H₂O → HCN + KOH

Occurrence

Cyanides are produced by certain bacteria, fungi, and algae and are found in a number of foods and plants. Sodium cyanide is the Inorganic compound with the formula NaCN Potassium cyanide is an Inorganic compound with the formula KCN The Almond ( Prunus dulcis, syn Prunus amygdalus Batsch Amygdalus communis L Hydrolysis is a Chemical reaction during which one or more water molecules are split into hydrogen and hydroxide ions which may go on to participate in further reactions The Bacteria ( singular: bacterium) are a large group of unicellular Microorganisms Typically a few Micrometres in length bacteria have A fungus (ˈfʌŋgəs is a eukaryotic Organism that is a member of the kingdom Fungi (ˈfʌndʒaɪ Algae ( sing. alga are a large and diverse group of simple typically Autotrophic organisms ranging from Unicellular to Multicellular forms Cyanide is found, although in small amounts, in apple seeds, mangoes and almonds. The apple is the pomaceous Fruit of the apple tree Species Malus domestica in the Rose family Rosaceae. Mangoes belong to the genus Mangifera, consisting of numerous species of tropical fruiting Trees in the Flowering plant family Anacardiaceae The Almond ( Prunus dulcis, syn Prunus amygdalus Batsch Amygdalus communis L ^[3] In plants, cyanides are usually bound to sugar molecules in the form of cyanogenic glycosides and serve the plant as defense against herbivores. Sugar is a class of edible Crystalline substances mainly Sucrose, Lactose, and Fructose. Herbivory is a form of Predation in which an Organism, known as a herbivore, consumes principally Autotrophs ref name=Campbell>Campbell Cassava roots (aka manioc), an important potato-like food grown in tropical countries (and the base from which tapioca is made), contains cyanogenic glycosides^[4][5]. The cassava, yuca, manioc, or mandioca ( Manihot esculenta) is a woody Shrub of the Euphorbiaceae (spurge family native Tapioca is a flavorless colorless odorless Starch

The Fe-only and [NiFe]-hydrogenase enzymes contain cyanide ligands at their active sites. A hydrogenase is an Enzyme that catalyses the reversible oxidation of molecular Hydrogen (H2 Enzymes are Biomolecules that catalyze ( ie increase the rates of Chemical reactions Almost all enzymes are Proteins In Chemistry, a ligand is either an Atom, Ion, or Molecule (see also Functional group) that bonds to a central metal generally The biosynthesis of cyanide in the [NiFe]-hydrogenases proceeds from carbamoylphosphate, which converts to cysteinyl thiocyanate, the CN^- donor. Thiocyanate (also known as sulphocyanate or thiocyanide or rhodanide) is the anion − ^[6]

Hydrogen cyanide is a product of certain kinds of pyrolysis and consequently it occurs in the exhaust of internal combustion engines, tobacco smoke, and certain plastics, especially those derived from acrylonitrile. Pyrolysis is the Chemical decomposition of organic materials by heating in the absence of Oxygen or any other reagents except possibly Steam The internal combustion engine is an engine in which the Combustion of Fuel and an Oxidizer (typically air occurs in a confined space called a Tobacco is an Agricultural product recognized as an addictive drug processed from the fresh Leaves of plants in the genus Nicotiana. Plastic is the general common term for a wide range of synthetic or semisynthetic organic solid materials suitable for the manufacture of industrial products Acrylonitrile is the Chemical compound with the formula CH2CHCN

Coordination chemistry

Cyanide is considered, in a broad sense, to be the most potent ligand for many transition metals. In Chemistry, a ligand is either an Atom, Ion, or Molecule (see also Functional group) that bonds to a central metal generally The very high affinities of metals for cyanide can be attributed to its negative charge, compactness, and ability to engage in π-bonding. Well known complexes include:

• hexacyanides [M(CN)₆]³⁻ (M = Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co), which are octahedral in shape;
• the tetracyanides, [M(CN)₄]²⁻ (M = Ni, Pd, Pt), which are square planar in their geometry;
• the dicyanides [M(CN)₂]⁻ (M = Cu, Ag, Au), which are linear in geometry.

The deep blue pigment Prussian blue, used in the making of blueprints, is derived from iron cyanide complexes (hence the name cyanide, from cyan, a shade of blue). Blue is a Colour, the Perception of which is evoked by Prussian blue is a very dark blue colorfast non-toxic Pigment – one of the first synthetic Dyes – which was discovered accidentally in Berlin in 1704 A blueprint is a type of paper-based reproduction usually of a Technical drawing, documenting an Architecture or an Engineering design Iron (ˈаɪɚn is a Chemical element with the symbol Fe (ferrum and Atomic number 26 Cyan (saɪæn from Greek κυανός / kyanos, meaning "blue" may be used as the name of any of a number of a range of colors in the blue/green part of Prussian blue can produce hydrogen cyanide when exposed to acids.

Organic synthesis

Main article: Nitriles

Because of its high nucleophilicity, cyanide is readily introduced into organic molecules by displacement of a halide group (i. A nitrile is any Organic compound which has a - C ≡ N Functional group. In Chemistry, a nucleophile (literally nucleus lover as in nucleus and phile) is a Reagent that forms a Chemical bond to A halide is a Binary compound, of which one part is a Halogen Atom and the other part is an element or radical that is less e. the chloride on methyl chloride). The chloride Ion is formed when the element Chlorine picks up one Electron to form an Anion (negatively-charged ion Cl&minus Chloromethane, also called Methyl chloride, R-40 or HCC 40 is a Chemical compound of the group of Organic compounds called Haloalkanes. Organic cyanides are generally called nitriles. Thus, CH₃CN can be methyl cyanide but more commonly is referred to as acetonitrile. Acetonitrile (ACN is the Chemical compound with formula CH3CN In organic synthesis, cyanide is used as a C-1 synthon. A synthon is a concept in Retrosynthetic analysis. It is defined as a structural unit within a Molecule which is related to a possible synthetic operation I. e. , it can be used to lengthen a carbon chain by one, while retaining the ability to be functionalized.

RX + CN⁻ → RCN + X⁻ (Nucleophilic Substitution) followed by

1. RCN + 2 H₂O → RCOOH + NH₃ (Hydrolysis under reflux with mineral acid catalyst), or
2. RCN + 0.5 LiAlH₄ + (second step) 2 H₂O → RCH₂NH₂ + 0. In organic and Inorganic chemistry, nucleophilic substitution is a fundamental class of Substitution reaction in which an "electron rich" Carboxylic acids are Organic acids characterized by the presence of a Carboxyl group, which has the formula -C(=OOH usually written -COOH or -CO2H Hydrolysis is a Chemical reaction during which one or more water molecules are split into hydrogen and hydroxide ions which may go on to participate in further reactions Lithium aluminium hydride ( Li[[Aluminium Al]] H4) commonly abbreviated to LAH, is a Reducing agent used in Organic synthesis Amines are Organic compounds and Functional groups that contain a basic Nitrogen Atom with a Lone pair. 5 LiAl(OH)₄ (under reflux in dry ether, followed by addition of H₂O)

An alternative method for introducing cyanide is via the process of hydrocyanation, whereby hydrogen cyanide and alkenes combine: RCH=CH₂ + HCN → RCH(CN)CH₃ Metal catalysts are required for such reactions. This article is about using reflux in chemical engineering and chemistry Diethyl ether, also known as ether and ethoxyethane, is a clear colorless and highly Flammable liquid with a low Boiling point and a

Applications

Potassium ferrocyanide is used to achieve a blue colour on cast bronze sculptures during the final finishing stage of the sculpture. Potassium ferrocyanide, also known as yellow prussiate of potash or potassium hexacyanoferrate(II is a coordination compound of formula K4·3H2O Bronze is the most popular metal for cast metal Sculptures; a cast bronze sculpture is often called simply a "bronze" On its own, it will produce a very dark shade of blue and is often mixed with other chemicals to achieve the desired tint and hue. It is applied using a torch and paint brush while wearing the standard safety equipment used for any patina application: rubber gloves, safety glasses, and a respirator. The actual amount of cyanide in the mixture varies according to the recipes used by each foundry.

Medical uses

The cyanide compound sodium nitroprusside is occasionally used in emergency medical situations to produce a rapid decrease in blood pressure in humans; it is also used as a vasodilator in vascular research. Sodium nitroprusside is the Chemical compound with the formula Na2·2H2O Blood pressure is also the title of a short story by Damon Runyan in Guys and Dolls and Other Stories The molecule of Vitamin B12 usually also contains cyanide. During World War I, a copper cyanide compound was briefly used by Japanese physicians for the treatment of tuberculosis and leprosy. World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics. ^[7]

Mining

Gold and silver cyanides are among the very few soluble forms of these metals, and cyanides are thus used in mining as well as electroplating, metallurgy, jewelry, and photography. Gold (ˈɡoʊld is a Chemical element with the symbol Au (from its Latin name aurum) and Atomic number 79 Silver (ˈsɪlvɚ is a Chemical element with the symbol " Ag " (argentum from the Ancient Greek: ἀργήντος - argēntos gen Solubility is the characteristic Physical property referring to the ability of a given substance the Solute, to dissolve in a Solvent. Mining is the extraction of valuable Minerals or other geological materials from the earth usually (but not always from an Ore body Electroplating is the process of using electrical current to reduce Cations of a desired material from a solution and coat a conductive object Metallurgy is a domain of Materials science that studies the physical and chemical behavior of metallic elements, their intermetallic compounds, and their Jewellery (also spelled jewelry, see spelling differences) is a personal Ornament, such as a necklace ring or bracelet made from Gemstones Photography (fә'tɒgrәfi or fә'tɑːgrәfi (from Greek φωτο and γραφία is the process and Art of recording pictures by means of capturing In the so-called cyanide process, finely ground high-grade ore is mixed with the cyanide (concentration of about two kilogram NaCN per tonne); low-grade ores are stacked into heaps and sprayed with cyanide solution (concentration of about one kilogram NaCN per ton). Gold cyanidation (also known as the cyanide process or the MacArthur-Forrest process) is a metallurgical technique for extracting Gold from low-grade The precious-metal cations are complexed by the cyanide anions to form soluble derivatives, e. An ion is an Atom or Molecule which has lost or gained one or more Valence electrons giving it a positive or negative electrical charge An ion is an Atom or Molecule which has lost or gained one or more Valence electrons giving it a positive or negative electrical charge g. [Au(CN)₂]⁻ and [Ag(CN)₂]⁻.

2 Au + 4 KCN + ½ O₂ + H₂O → 2 K[Au(CN)₂] + 2 KOH

2 Ag + 4 KCN + ½ O₂ + H₂O → 2 K[Ag(CN)₂] + 2 KOH

Silver is less "noble" than gold and often occurs as the sulfide, in which case redox is not invoked (no O₂ is required), instead a displacement reaction occurs:

Ag₂S + 4 KCN → 2 K[Ag(CN)₂] + K₂S

The "pregnant liquor" containing these ions is separated from the solids, which are discarded to a tailing pond or spent heap, the recoverable gold having been removed. The metal is recovered from the "pregnant solution" by reduction with zinc dust or by adsorption onto activated carbon. Zinc (ˈzɪŋk from Zink is a Metallic Chemical element with the symbol Zn and Atomic number 30 This process can result in environmental and health problems. Aqueous cyanide is hydrolyzed rapidly, especially in sunlight. It can mobilize some heavy metals such as mercury if present. Gold can also be associated with arsenopyrite (FeAsS), which is similar to iron pyrite (fool's gold), wherein half of the sulfur atoms are replaced by arsenic. Arsenic (ˈɑrsənɪk is a Chemical element that has the symbol As and Atomic number of 33 Au-containing arsenopyrite ores are similarly reactive toward cyanide.

Fishing

Main article: Cyanide fishing

Cyanides are illegally used to capture live fish near coral reefs for the aquarium and seafood markets. Cyanide fishing is an illegal form of Fishing (commonly known as Poaching) common in South East Asia, which usually uses the Chemical compound Coral reefs are Aragonite structures produced by living organisms found in marine waters with little to no nutrients in the water An aquarium (plural aquariums or aquaria) is a Vivarium consisting of at least one transparent side in which Water -dwelling Plants This fishing occurs mainly in the Philippines, Indonesia and the Caribbean to supply the 2 million marine aquarium owners in the world. The Philippines ( Filipino: Pilipinas, officially known as the Republic of the Philippines (fil ''Republika ng Pilipinas'' RP The Republic of Indonesia ( (Republik Indonesia is a Country in Southeast Asia. The Caribbean (ˌkærəˡbiən kæ'rəbiən Cariben|Caraïben or Caraïben; Caraïbe or more commonly Antilles; Caribe is a Region consisting An aquarium (plural aquariums or aquaria) is a Vivarium consisting of at least one transparent side in which Water -dwelling Plants In this method, a diver uses a large, needleless syringe to squirt a cyanide solution into areas where the fish are hiding, stunning them so that they can be easily gathered. A syringe is a simple piston Pump consisting of a plunger that fits tightly in a tube Many fish caught in this fashion die immediately, or in shipping. Those that survive to find their way into pet stores often die from shock, or from massive digestive damage. The high concentrations of cyanide on reefs on which this has occurred has resulted in cases of cyanide poisoning among local fishermen and their families, as well as irreversible damage to the coral reefs themselves and other marine life in the area.

Environmental organizations are critical of the practice, as are some aquarists and aquarium dealers, to prevent the trade of illegally-caught aquarium fish. The Marine Aquarium Council (Headquarters: Honolulu, Hawaii) has created a certification in which the tropical fish are caught legally with nets only. To ensure authenticity, "MAC-Certified marine organisms bear the MAC-Certified label on the tanks and boxes in which they are kept and shipped. " MAC Certification.

Magnesium cyanide is also used in some countries illegally to stun and harvest streamlined fish.

Fumigation

Cyanides are used as insecticides for the fumigating of ships. An insecticide is a Pesticide used against Insects in all developmental forms In the past cyanide salts have and still are in some places being used as rat poison, and for killing ants.

Chemical tests for cyanide

Prussian blue

The formation of Prussian blue can be used as a test for inorganic cyanide, for instance in the sodium fusion test. Prussian blue is a very dark blue colorfast non-toxic Pigment – one of the first synthetic Dyes – which was discovered accidentally in Berlin in 1704 The sodium fusion test is used in Elemental analysis for the qualitative determination of elemental Halogens Nitrogen and Sulfur in a sample Typically, iron(II) sulfate is added to a solution suspected of containing cyanide, such as the filtrate from the sodium fusion test. Iron(II sulfate or ferrous sulfate is the Chemical compound with the formula ( Fe[[Sulfur S]] O 4 The sodium fusion test is used in Elemental analysis for the qualitative determination of elemental Halogens Nitrogen and Sulfur in a sample The resulting mixture is acidified with mineral acid. The formation of Prussian blue is a positive result for cyanide. Prussian blue is a very dark blue colorfast non-toxic Pigment – one of the first synthetic Dyes – which was discovered accidentally in Berlin in 1704

para-benzoquinone in DMSO

A solution of para-benzoquinone in DMSO reacts with cyanide to form a cyanophenol, which is fluorescent. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO is the Chemical compound with the formula (CH32SO Phenol, is a toxic colourless Crystalline Solid with a sweet tarry odor commonly referred to as a "hospital smell" Fluorescence is a Luminescence that is mostly found as an Illumination with a UV light gives a green/blue glow if the test is positive. Ultraviolet ( UV) light is Electromagnetic radiation with a Wavelength shorter than that of Visible light, but longer than X-rays

Copper and an aromatic amine

As used by fumigators to detect hydrogen cyanide, copper(II) salt and an aromatic amine such as benzidine is added to the sample, as an alternative to the benzidine an alternative amine di-(4,4-bis-dimethylaminophenyl) methane can be used. Fumigation is a method of Pest control that completely fills an area with gaseous Pesticides to suffocate or poison the pests within Hydrogen cyanide is a Chemical compound with Chemical formula HCN Copper (ˈkɒpɚ is a Chemical element with the symbol Cu (cuprum and Atomic number 29 Benzidine is the trivial name for 44'-diamino Biphenyl, a Carcinogenic Aromatic Amine which has been used as part of a test for Cyanide A positive test gives a blue colour. Copper(I) cyanide is poorly soluble. Copper(I cyanide (CuCN, also copper cyanide, cuprous cyanide, or cupricin is a white to cream colored or sometimes greenish powdery solid that is By sequestering the copper(I) the copper(II) is rendered a stronger oxidant. Particle Physics In Particle physics, sequestering is a procedure of isolating different types of physical processes or different particle species by separating them An oxidizing agent or oxidising agent (also called an oxidant, oxidizer or oxidiser) can be defined as either a Chemical compound The copper, in a cyanide facilitated oxidation, converts the amine into a coloured compound. Amines are Organic compounds and Functional groups that contain a basic Nitrogen Atom with a Lone pair. The Nernst equation explains this process. In Electrochemistry, the Nernst equation is an equation which can be used (in conjunction with other information to determine the equilibrium Reduction potential Another good example of such chemistry is the way in which the saturated calomel reference electrode (SCE) works. Mercury(I chloride is the Chemical compound with the formula Hg2Cl2 Reference electrode is an Electrode which has a stable and well-known Electrode potential. The Saturated calomel electrode (SCE is a Reference electrode based on the reaction between elemental mercury and mercury(I Chloride. The copper, in a cyanide facilitated, oxidation converts the amine into a coloured compound. Amines are Organic compounds and Functional groups that contain a basic Nitrogen Atom with a Lone pair.

Pyridine - Barbituric Acid Colorimetry

A sample containing cyanide is purged with air from a boiling acid solution into a basic absorber solution. The cyanide salt absorbed in the basic solution is buffered at pH 4. 5 and then reacted with chlorine to form cyanogen chloride. The cyanogen chloride formed couples pyridine with barbituric acid to form a strongly colored red dye that is proportional to cyanide concentration. This colorimetric method following distillation is the basis for most regulatory methods (for instance EPA 335. 4) used to analyze cyanide in water, wastewater, and contaminated soils. Distillation followed by colorimetric methods, however, have been found to be prone to interferences from thiocyanate, nitrate, thiosulfate, sulfite, and sulfide that can result in both positive and negative bias. It has been recommended by the USEPA (MUR March 12, 2007) that samples containing these compounds be analyzed by Gas-Diffusion Flow Injection Analysis - Amperometry. ^[8]

Gas Diffusion Flow Injection Analysis - Amperometry

Instead of distilling, the sample is injected into an acidic stream where the HCN formed is passed under a hydrophobic gas diffusion membrane that selectively allows only HCN to pass through. The HCN that passes through the membrane is absorbed into a basic carrier solution that transports the CN to an amperometric detector that accurately measures cyanide concentration with high sensitivity. Sample pretreatment determined by acid reagents, ligands, or preliminary UV irradiation allow cyanide speciation of free cyanide, available cyanide, and total cyanide respectively. These relative simplicity of these flow injection analysis methods limit the interference experienced by the high heat of distillation and also prove to be cost effective since time consuming distillations are not required.

Toxicity

Main article: Cyanide poisoning

Many cyanide-containing compounds are highly toxic, but some are not. Cyanide poisoning occurs when a living organism is exposed to Cyanide. Prussian blue, with an approximate formula Fe₇(CN)₁₈ is the blue of blue prints and is administered orally as an antidote to poisoning by thallium and Caesium-137. Prussian blue is a very dark blue colorfast non-toxic Pigment – one of the first synthetic Dyes – which was discovered accidentally in Berlin in 1704 A blueprint is a type of paper-based reproduction usually of a Technical drawing, documenting an Architecture or an Engineering design Thallium (ˈθæliəm is a Chemical element with the symbol Tl and Atomic number 81 Caesium-137 (also spelled cesium is a radioactive Isotope of Caesium which is formed mainly by Nuclear fission. The most dangerous cyanides are hydrogen cyanide (HCN) and salts derived from it, such as potassium cyanide (KCN) and sodium cyanide (NaCN), among others. Hydrogen cyanide is a Chemical compound with Chemical formula HCN Also some compounds readily release HCN or the cyanide ion, such as trimethylsilyl cyanide (CH₃)₃SiCN upon contact with water and cyanoacrylates upon pyrolysis. Trimethylsilyl cyanide is the Chemical compound with the formula (CH33SiCN Cyanoacrylate is the generic name for cyanoacrylate based fast-acting Glues such as ethyl-2-cyanoacrylate (commonly sold under trade names like Superglue and Krazy Pyrolysis is the Chemical decomposition of organic materials by heating in the absence of Oxygen or any other reagents except possibly Steam

Cyanide is an inhibitor of the enzyme cytochrome c oxidase (also known as aa₃) in the fourth complex of the electron transport chain (found in the membrane of the mitochondria of eukaryotic cells. Enzyme inhibitors are Molecules that bind to Enzymes and decrease their activity. Enzymes are Biomolecules that catalyze ( ie increase the rates of Chemical reactions Almost all enzymes are Proteins The Enzyme cytochrome c oxidase or Complex IV () is a large Transmembrane protein complex found in Bacteria and the Mitochondrion An electron transport chain couples a chemical reaction between an electron donor (such as NADH) and an electron acceptor (such as O2) to the transfer In Cell biology, a mitochondrion (plural mitochondria) is a membrane-enclosed Organelle found in most eukaryotic cells. ) It attaches to the iron within this protein. The binding of cyanide to this cytochrome prevents transport of electrons from cytochrome c oxidase to oxygen. The Enzyme cytochrome c oxidase or Complex IV () is a large Transmembrane protein complex found in Bacteria and the Mitochondrion As a result, the electron transport chain is disrupted, meaning that the cell can no longer aerobically produce ATP for energy. An electron transport chain couples a chemical reaction between an electron donor (such as NADH) and an electron acceptor (such as O2) to the transfer Adenosine-5'-triphosphate ( ATP) is a multifunctional Nucleotide that is most important as a " molecular currency" of intracellular Energy Tissues that mainly depend on aerobic respiration, such as the central nervous system and the heart, are particularly affected. Cellular respiration is the set of the metabolic reactions and processes that take place in Organisms cells to convert biochemical energy from In Vertebrates the central nervous system ( CNS) is the part of the Nervous system which is enclosed in the Meninges. The heart is a muscular organ in all Vertebrates responsible for pumping Blood through the Blood vessels by repeated rhythmic Antidotes to cyanide poisoning include hydroxocobalamin and sodium nitrite which release the cyanide from the cytochrome system, and rhodanase, which is an enzyme occurring naturally in mammals that combines serum cyanide with thiosulfate, producing comparatively harmless thiocyanate. Hydroxocobalamin (OHCbl is a natural analog of Vitamin B-12, a basic member of the cobalamin family of compounds

Cyanides have been used as a poison many times throughout history. Its most infamous application was the use of hydrogen cyanide by the Nazi regime in Germany for mass murder in some gas chambers during the Holocaust. Nazism, which was a short name for National Socialism (Nationalsozialismus refers primarily to the Ideology and practices of the National Socialist German A gas chamber is an apparatus for killing consisting of a sealed chamber into which a Poisonous or Asphyxiant gas is introduced The Holocaust (from the Greek el ''ὁλόκαυστον'' (el-Latn holókauston holos, "completely" and kaustos, "burnt" also known as Cyanide has been used for murder, as in the case of Grigori Rasputin. It has also been used for suicide. Some notable cases are Erwin Rommel, Eva Braun, Wallace Carothers, Hermann Göring, Heinrich Himmler, Alan Turing, Odilo Globocnik, Adolf Hitler (in combination with a gunshot), residents of Jim Jones' the People's Temple in Jonestown and the LTTE (they use it to kill themselves if they are captured by Armed forces). Erwin Johannes Eugen Rommel ( ( 15 November 1891 – 14 October 1944) (also known as the " Desert Fox " Wüstenfuchs Eva Anna Paula Braun, died Eva Anna Paula Hitler ( 6 February 1912 – 30 April 1945) was the longtime companion of Wallace Hume Carothers ( April 27, 1896 &ndash April 29, 1937) was an American chemist inventor and the leader of Organic chemistry Hermann Wilhelm Göring (also spelled Goering) (12 January 1893 15 October 1946 was a German Politician, Military leader and a leading member Heinrich Luitpold Himmler ( 7 October 1900 – 23 May 1945 was a Nazi German politician and head of the Schutzstaffel (SS. Alan Mathison Turing, OBE, FRS (ˈt(jʊ(ərɪŋ (23 June 1912 &ndash 7 June 1954 was an English Mathematician Dipl-Ing Odilo Lotario Globocnik ( April 21, 1904 – May 31, 1945) was a prominent Austrian Nazi and later an Hi and welcome to Wikipedia! Please understand that this article is frequently vandalized and vandalism is reverted immediately James Warren "Jim" Jones (May 13 1931 &ndash November 18 1978 was the American founder of the Peoples Temple, which is best known for the November 18 1978 Peoples Temple was an organization founded in 1955 by Jim Jones that by the mid-1970s possessed over a dozen locations in California including its headquarters in San "LTTE" redirects here For the Led Zeppelin bootleg see Listen to This Eddie.

References

Sources

• Institut national de recherche et de sécurité (1997). "Cyanure d'hydrogène et solutions aqueuses". Fiche toxicologique n° 4, Paris:INRS, 5pp. (PDF file, in French)
• Institut national de recherche et de sécurité (1997). "Cyanure de sodium. Cyanure de potassium". Fiche toxicologique n° 111, Paris:INRS, 6pp. (PDF file, in French)

External links

• ATSDR medical management guidelines for cyanide poisoning (US)
• Cyanide intoxication, by Charles Stewart
• HSE recommendations for first aid treatment of cyanide poisoning (UK)
• Hydrogen cyanide and cyanides (CICAD 61)
• IPCS/CEC Evaluation of antidotes for poisoning by cyanides
• National Pollutant Inventory - Cyanide compounds fact sheet
• Eating apple seeds is safe despite the small amount of cyanide
• Cyanide and Happiness © Explosm.net