Cyanogen
IUPAC name Ethanedinitrile
Other names Cyanogen Carbon nitride Dicyan Dicyanogen Nitriloacetonitrile Oxalic acid dinitrile Oxalonitrile Oxalyl cyanide
Identifiers
CAS number	460-19-5 Y
PubChem	9999
ChemSpider	9605 Y
EC number	207-306-5
UN number	1026
ChEBI	CHEBI:29308 Y
RTECS number	GT1925000
Jmol-3D images	Image 1
SMILES N#CC#N
InChI InChI=1S/C2N2/c3-1-2-4 Y Key: JMANVNJQNLATNU-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y InChI=1/C2N2/c3-1-2-4 Key: JMANVNJQNLATNU-UHFFFAOYAS
Properties
Molecular formula	C2N2
Molar mass	52.03 g mol−1
Density	0.95 g/cm3 (liquid, −21 °C)
Melting point	-28 °C, 245 K, -18 °F
Boiling point	-21 °C, 252 K, -6 °F
Solubility in water	450 mL/100 mL (20 °C)
Hazards
MSDS	ICSC 1390
EU Index	608-011-00-8
EU classification	Flammable (F) Very Toxic (T+) Dangerous for the environment (N)
R-phrases	R11, R23, R50/53
S-phrases	(S1/2), S23, S45, S60, S61
NFPA 704	4 4 2
Flash point	Flammable gas
Explosive limits	6.6–42.6%
Related compounds
Related compounds	Cyanogen fluoride Cyanogen chloride Cyanogen bromide Cyanogen iodide
Y (verify) (what is: Y/N?) Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa)
Infobox references

Cyanogen is the chemical compound with the formula (CN)₂. It is a colorless, toxic gas with a pungent odor. The molecule is a pseudohalogen. Cyanogen molecules consist of two CN groups – analogous to diatomic halogen molecules, such as Cl₂, but far less oxidizing. The two cyano groups are bonded together at their carbon atoms: N≡C−C≡N, although other isomers have been detected.^[1] Certain derivatives of cyanogen are also called "cyanogen" even though they contain only one CN group. For example cyanogen bromide has the formula NCBr.^[2]

Cyanogen is the anhydride of oxamide:

H₂NC(O)C(O)NH₂ → NCCN + 2 H₂O

Preparation[link]

Cyanogen is typically generated from cyanide compounds. One laboratory method entails thermal decomposition of mercuric cyanide:

2 Hg(CN)₂ → (CN)₂ + Hg₂(CN)₂

Alternatively, one can combine solutions of copper(II) salts (such as copper(II) sulfate) with cyanides, an unstable copper(II) cyanide is formed which rapidly decomposes into copper(I) cyanide and cyanogen.^[3]

2 CuSO₄ + 4 KCN → (CN)₂ + 2 CuCN + 2 K₂SO₄

Industrially, it is created by the oxidation of hydrogen cyanide, usually using chlorine over an activated silicon dioxide catalyst or nitrogen dioxide over a copper salt. It is also formed when nitrogen and acetylene are reacted by an electrical spark or discharge.^[4]

Paracyanogen[link]

Paracyanogen is produced by polymerization of cyanogen through pyrolysis of heavy metal cyanides.^[5]

History[link]

Cyanogen was first synthesized in 1815 by Joseph Louis Gay-Lussac, who determined its empirical formula and named it. Gay-Lussac coined the word "cyanogène" from the Greek words κύανος (kyanos, blue) and γεννάω (gennao, I create), because cyanide was first isolated by the Swedish chemist Carl Wilhelm Scheele from the pigment "Prussian blue".^[6] It attained importance with the growth of the fertilizer industry in the late nineteenth century and is still an important intermediate in the production of many fertilizers. It is also used as a stabilizer in the production of nitrocellulose.

Safety[link]

Like other inorganic cyanides, cyanogen is very toxic, as it readily undergoes reduction to cyanide, which poisons the cytochrome c oxidase complex, thus interrupting the mitochondrial electron transfer chain. Cyanogen gas is an irritant to the eyes and respiratory system. Inhalation can lead to headache, dizziness, rapid pulse, nausea, vomiting, loss of consciousness, convulsions, and death, depending on exposure.^[7]

Cyanogen produces the second hottest known natural flame (after carbon subnitride) with a temperature of over 4525 °C when it burns in oxygen.^[8]

See also[link]

• Pseudohalogen

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: cyanogen

• National Pollutant Inventory - Cyanide compounds fact sheet
• PhysOrg.com