Cesium cyanide (chemical formula: CsCN) is the cesium salt of hydrogen cyanide. It is a white solid, easily soluble in water, with a smell reminiscent of bitter almonds, and with crystals similar in appearance to sugar. Caesium cyanide has chemical properties similar to potassium cyanide and is very toxic.

Cesium cyanide
Names
IUPAC name
Cesium cyanide
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChemSpider
  • InChI=1S/CN.Cs/c1-2;/q-1;+1
    Key: XTCPEYCUFMHXBI-UHFFFAOYSA-N
  • [C-]#N.[Cs+]
Properties
CCsN
Molar mass 158.923 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 mg/kg[1]
Related compounds
Other cations
Lithium cyanide
Sodium cyanide
Potassium cyanide
Rubidium cyanide
Ammonium 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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Hydrogen cyanide reacts with cesium hydroxide giving cesium cyanide and water:[2]

HCN + CsOH → CsCN + 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. ^ "化工辭典 氰化铯". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2020-03-20.