Production
KCN is produced by treating hydrogen cyanide with a 50% aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide, followed by evaporation of the solution in a vacuum:
- HCN + KOH → KCN + H2O
or by treating formamide with potassium hydroxide:
- HCONH2 + KOH → KCN + 2H2O
Approximately 50,000 tons of potassium cyanide are produced yearly.
Read more about this topic: Potassium Cyanide
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