Lithium cyanide is an

inorganic compound An inorganic compound is typically a chemical compound that lacks carbon–hydrogen bonds⁠that is, a compound that is not an organic compound. The study of inorganic compounds is a subfield of chemistry known as ''inorganic chemistry''. Inorgan ...

with the chemical formula LiCN. It is a toxic, white coloured,

hygroscopic Hygroscopy is the phenomenon of attracting and holding water molecules via either absorption (chemistry), absorption or adsorption from the surrounding Natural environment, environment, which is usually at normal or room temperature. If water mol ...

, water-soluble salt that finds only niche uses.

Preparation

LiCN is produced from the reaction of lithium hydroxide and hydrogen cyanide. A laboratory-scale preparation uses

acetone cyanohydrin Acetone cyanohydrin (ACH) is an organic compound used in the production of methyl methacrylate, the monomer of the transparent plastic polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), also known as acrylic. It liberates hydrogen cyanide easily, so it is used as a ...

as a surrogate for HCN: :(CH₃)₂C(OH)CN + LiH → (CH₃)₂CO + LiCN + H₂

Uses

The compound decomposes to

cyanamide Cyanamide is an organic compound with the formula C N2 H2. This white solid is widely used in agriculture and the production of pharmaceuticals and other organic compounds. It is also used as an alcohol-deterrent drug. The molecule features a ...

and carbon when heated to a temperature close to but below 600 °C. Acids react to give

hydrogen cyanide Hydrogen cyanide (formerly known as prussic acid) is a chemical compound with the chemical formula, formula HCN and structural formula . It is a highly toxic and flammable liquid that boiling, boils slightly above room temperature, at . HCN is ...

. Lithium cyanide can be used as a reagent for organic compound cyanation. :RX + LiCN → RCN + LiX

References

{{Cyanides Lithium salts Cyanides Lithium compounds