Cyanogen chloride

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Cyanogen chloride
IUPAC name	Cyanic chloride
Other names	Cyanogen chloride, Chloroformonitrile, Cyanic chloride, Chlorine cyanide, Carbononitridic chloride, Chlorocyan, UN 1589, CK
Identifiers
CAS number	[506-77-4]
PubChem	10477
EINECS number	208-052-8
RTECS number	GT2275000
SMILES	C(#N)Cl
InChI	1/CClN/c2-1-3
Properties
Molecular formula	CNCl
Molar mass	61.46 g/mol
Density	1.19 g/cm3 (liquid)
Melting point	-6 °C
Boiling point	13.8 °C
Solubility in water	Soluble
Vapor pressure	164 kPa
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) Infobox disclaimer and references

Cyanogen chloride is a chemical compound with the formula CNCl. This linear triatomic pseudohalogen is an easily condensed colorless gas. More commonly encountered in the laboratory is the related compound cyanogen bromide, a room temperature solid, which is widely used in biochemical analysis and preparation.

Contents 1 Synthesis, basic properties, structure 2 Applications in synthesis 3 Safety 4 References 5 See also 6 External links

[edit] Synthesis, basic properties, structure

Although the formula is written CNCl, cyanogen chloride is a molecule with the connectivity ClCN. Carbon and chlorine are linked by a single bond and carbon and nitrogen by a triple bond. It is a linear species, as are the related cyanogen halides (NCF, NCBr, NCI). Cyanogen chloride is prepared by oxidation of sodium cyanide with chlorine. This reaction proceeds via the intermediacy of cyanogen ((CN)₂).^[1]

NaCN + Cl₂ → ClCN + NaCl

The compound is molecular, although polar. It trimerizes in the presence of acid to the heterocyclic trimer called cyanuric chloride.

[edit] Applications in synthesis

CNCl is a precursor to sulfonyl cyanides.^[2] and chlorosulfonyl isocyanate, a useful reagent in organic synthesis.^[3]

[edit] Safety

Also known as CK, cyanogen chloride is a highly toxic blood agent, once proposed for use in chemical warfare. It causes immediate injury upon contact with the eyes or respiratory organs. Symptoms of exposure are loss of consciousness, convulsions, paralysis, and death. It is especially dangerous because it is capable of penetrating the filters in gas masks, according to U.S. analysts. CK is unstable due to polymerization, sometimes with explosive violence^[4].

Cyanogen chloride is listed in schedule 3 of the Chemical Weapons Convention: all production must be reported to the OPCW.

[edit] References

1. ^ Coleman, G. H.; Leeper, R. W.; Schulze, C. C. "Cyanogen Chloride" Inorganic Syntheses McGraw-Hill: New York, 1946; Vol. 2, p. 90.
2. ^ Vrijland, M. S. A. "Sulfonyl Cyanides: Methanesulfonyl Cyanide" Organic Syntheses, Collected Volume 6, p.727 (1988).
3. ^ Graf, R. "Chlorosulfonyl Isocyanate" Organic Syntheses, Collected Volume 5, pages 226ff.
4. ^ FM 3-8 Chemical Reference handbook; US Army; 1967

[edit] See also

• Cyanogen
• Cyanogen bromide

[edit] External links

• NIOSH Emergency Response Card
• eMedicine article
• National Pollutant Inventory - Cyanide compounds fact sheet

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