Rubidium cyanide (chemical formula: RbCN) is the rubidium salt of hydrogen cyanide. It is a white solid, easily soluble in water, with a smell reminiscent of bitter almonds, and somewhat similar in appearance to sugar. Rubidium cyanide has chemical properties similar to potassium cyanide, and is similarly very toxic.

Rubidium cyanide
銣離子 氰離子
Names
IUPAC name
Rubidium cyanide
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
  • InChI=1S/CN.Rb/c1-2;/q-1;+1
    Key: LVVHSFSKNVFYAG-UHFFFAOYSA-N
  • [C-]#N.[Rb+]
Properties
CNRb
Molar mass 111.486 g·mol−1
Appearance White solid
Hazards
Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH):
Main hazards
Extremely toxic
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)
NFPA 704 four-colored diamondHealth 4: Very short exposure could cause death or major residual injury. E.g. VX gasFlammability 0: Will not burn. E.g. waterInstability 0: Normally stable, even under fire exposure conditions, and is not reactive with water. E.g. liquid nitrogenSpecial hazards (white): no code
4
0
0
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
5–10 mg/kg[1]
Related compounds
Other cations
Lithium cyanide
Sodium cyanide
Potassium cyanide
Caesium cyanide
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).

Production

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Rubidium cyanide can be synthesized by the reaction of hydrogen cyanide and rubidium hydroxide in alcohol or ether:[2]

HCN + RbOH → RbCN + H2O.

References

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  1. ^ Bernard Martel. Chemical Risk Analysis: A Practical Handbook. Kogan, 2004, page 361. ISBN 1-903996-65-1.
  2. ^ Rubidium cyanide (in Chinese). ChemYQ.