Citation: Nan Wu, Hang Zhang, Lingling Wei, Quan Gu, Haoquan Zheng, Weiqiang Zhang, Rui Cao. Cyanide: Poison or Treasure?[J]. University Chemistry, ;2025, 40(7): 177-188. doi: 10.12461/PKU.DXHX202409072 shu

Cyanide: Poison or Treasure?

School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710119, China

Corresponding author: Hang Zhang, Haoquan Zheng,
Received Date: 19 September 2024
Revised Date: 6 November 2024

Cyanides are widely present in nature and are highly toxic, often evoking significant concern. The development of human civilization and scientific technology has led to a gradual deepening of the exploration of cyanides, with continuous advancements in understanding and comprehension. However, they are also essential components of the Earth’s primordial atmosphere and play a crucial role as reactive intermediates in the synthesis of key biomolecules, such as amino acids. Hydrocyanic acid and its salts are of critical importance in various industrial processes, including electroplating, dyeing, washing, painting, rubber manufacturing, textiles, and gold mining. Moreover, cyanides are important research subjects in modern medicine and energy fields. This paper explores the dual nature of cyanides, highlighting their role as both a remnant of early Earth’s atmosphere and a catalyst for technological progress. By examining their industrial applications and potential research directions, the paper aims to shed light on the complex role of cyanides in the advancement of human civilization and their ongoing potential for future exploration.
- Cyanide,
- Physicochemical properties,
- Toxicology,
- Industrial applications,
- Green development
1. [1]
2. [2]
3. [3]
4. [4]
  Schulz, A.; Surkau, J. Rev. Inorg. Chem. 2023, 43(1), 49.
5. [5]
  Wang, L.; Shao, Y.; Cheng, J. Org. Biomol. Chem. 2021, 19(40), 8646.
6. [6]
  Birckenbach, L.; Huttner, K. Ber. Dtsch. Chem. Ges. 1929, 62(1), 153.
7. [7]
  Birckenbach, L.; Kellermann, K. Ber. Dtsch. Chem. Ges. 1925, 58(10), 2377.
8. [8]
  Birckenbach, L.; Kellermann, K. Ber. Dtsch. Chem. Ges. 1925, 58(4), 786.
9. [9]
  Black, J. H.; Dishoeck, E. F. V. Astrophys. J. 1991, 369 (1), L9.
10. [10]
  Arulsamy, N.; Bohle, D. S.; Doletski, B. G. Inorg. Chem. 1999, 38(11), 2709.
11. [11]
  Brand, H.; Mayer, P.; Schulz, A.; Weigand J. J. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2005, 44(25), 3929.
12. [12]
  Grundmann, C.; Fulton, M. B. Chem. Ber. 1964, 97(2), 566.
13. [13]
  Hocking, W. H.; Gerry, M. C. L. J. Mol. Spectrosc. 1976, 59(3), 338.
14. [14]
  Corain, B. Coord. Chem. Rev. 1984, 53, 296.
15. [15]
  Geier, J.; Willner, H. Z. Anorg. Allg. Chem. 2008, 634, 1863.
16. [16]
  Stetter, H. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 1969, 81(7), 267.
17. [17]
  Mayer, E. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 1969, 81(16), 627.
18. [18]
19. [19]
  Roesky, H. W. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 1987, 99(6), 607.
20. [20]
  Kraft, A. Bull. Hist. Chem. 2011, 36(1), 3.
21. [21]
  Buser, H. J.; Schwarzenbach, D.; Petter, W.; Ludi, A. Inorg. Chem. 1977, 16(11), 2704.
22. [22]
  Neff, V. D. J. Electrochem. Soc. 1978, 125(6), 886.
23. [23]
  Hall, A. H.; Rumack, B. H. Ann. Emerg. Med. 1986, 15(9), 1067.
24. [24]
  Baskin, S. I.; Horowitz, A. M.; Nealley, E. W. J. Clin. Pharmacol. 1992, 32(4), 368.
25. [25]
26. [26]
27. [27]
28. [28]
29. [29]
30. [30]
31. [31]
  Satpathy, B.; Jena, S.; Das, S.; Das, K. Surf. Coat. Technol. 2021, 424, 127680.
32. [32]
33. [33]
34. [34]
35. [35]
36. [36]
37. [37]
  Abelson, P. H. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 1966, 55(6), 1365.
38. [38]
  Loew, G. H. J. Theor. Biol. 1971, 33(1), 121.
39. [39]
  Moffat, J. B.; Tang, K. F. J. Theor. Biol. 1976, 58(1), 83.
40. [40]
41. [41]
42. [42]
  Yadav, M.; Pulletikurti, S.; Yerabolu, J. R.; Krishnamurthy, R. Nat. Chem. 2022, 14(2), 170.
43. [43]
  Islam, S. Nat. Chem. 2022, 14(2), 123.
44. [44]
45. [45]
46. [46]
47. [47]
48. [48]
  Kong, B.; Selomulya, C.; Zheng, G.; Zhao, D. Chem. Soc. Rev. 2015, 44(22), 7997.
49. [49]
  Jia, X.; Cai, X.; Chen, Y.; Wang, S.; Xu, H.; Zhang, K.; Ma, M.; Wu, H.; Shi, J.; Chen, H. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2015, 7(8), 4579.
50. [50]
  Shu, X.; Chen, Y.; Yan, P.; Xiang, Y.; Shi, Q.; Yin, T.; Wang, P.; Liu, L.; Shuai, X. J. Control. Release 2022, 347, 270.
51. [51]
52. [52]
53. [53]
54. [54]
55. [55]
56. [56]
57. [57]
58. [58]
59. [59]
1. [1]
  Yuxia Gao , Li Zhang , Chenhui Zhang , Fengpei Du . Chemical Empowerment for Green Development of Pesticides: From Molecular Design to Field Application. University Chemistry, 2025, 40(12): 78-86. doi: 10.12461/PKU.DXHX202509052
2. [2]
  Qiuping Liu , Yongxian Fan , Wenxian Chen , Mengdi Wang , Mei Mei , Genrong Qiang . Design of Ideological and Political Education for the Preparation Experiment of Ferrous Sulfate. University Chemistry, 2024, 39(2): 116-120. doi: 10.3866/PKU.DXHX202309083
3. [3]
  Yu SU , Xinlian FAN , Yao YIN , Lin WANG . From synthesis to application: Development and prospects of InP quantum dots. Chinese Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, 2024, 40(11): 2105-2123. doi: 10.11862/CJIC.20240126
4. [4]
  Dan LUO , Xingcheng LIU , Dong LI , Tong CHANG . Metal-support interaction effects on CO activation over Co_n/SiO₂ catalysts. Chinese Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, 2025, 41(11): 2337-2344. doi: 10.11862/CJIC.20250003
5. [5]
  Lingqi Zhang , Hairong Huang , Jialin Li , Li Ji , Yufan Pan , Meiling Ye , Cuixue Chen , Shunü Peng . 桂花碳量子点的绿色制备及科普应用方案. University Chemistry, 2025, 40(8): 298-306. doi: 10.12461/PKU.DXHX202409138
6. [6]
  Xiang Wu , Chengfeng Zhu , Fang Li , Bing Li , Yanming Fu , Lanjun Cheng , Yougui Li . Cultivating the Innovative Practical Abilities of College Students Based on the OBE Concept: Taking the Applied Chemistry Major of Hefei University of Technology as an Example. University Chemistry, 2024, 39(2): 280-285. doi: 10.3866/PKU.DXHX202308040
7. [7]
  Yue-Zhou Zhu , Kun Wang , Shi-Sheng Zheng , Hong-Jia Wang , Jin-Chao Dong , Jian-Feng Li . Application and Development of Electrochemical Spectroscopy Methods. Acta Physico-Chimica Sinica, 2024, 40(3): 2304040-0. doi: 10.3866/PKU.WHXB202304040
8. [8]
  Shuyong Zhang , Yanguang Wang , Yi Yang , Hualong Xu , Yuqiang Ding , Wenqing Zhang , Gang Ni , Qiue Cao , Jianping Li , Chunyan Sun , Xijiang Han . The Leading Role of University Chemistry in the Reform and Development of the Applied Chemistry Major. University Chemistry, 2025, 40(12): 41-48. doi: 10.12461/PKU.DXHX202508013
9. [9]
  Yuxin CHEN , Yanni LING , Yuqing YAO , Keyi WANG , Linna LI , Xin ZHANG , Qin WANG , Hongdao LI , Wenmin WANG . Construction, structures, and interaction with DNA of two Sm^Ⅲ₄ complexes. Chinese Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, 2025, 41(6): 1141-1150. doi: 10.11862/CJIC.20240258
10. [10]
  Zitong Chen , Zipei Su , Jiangfeng Qian . Aromatic Alkali Metal Reagents: Structures, Properties and Applications. University Chemistry, 2024, 39(8): 149-162. doi: 10.3866/PKU.DXHX202311054
11. [11]
  Huiying Xu , Minghui Liang , Zhi Zhou , Hui Gao , Wei Yi . Application of Quantum Chemistry Computation and Visual Analysis in Teaching of Weak Interactions. University Chemistry, 2025, 40(3): 199-205. doi: 10.12461/PKU.DXHX202407011
12. [12]
  Yifan Liu , Haonan Peng . AI-Assisted New Era in Chemistry: A Review of the Application and Development of Artificial Intelligence in Chemistry. University Chemistry, 2025, 40(7): 189-199. doi: 10.12461/PKU.DXHX202405182
13. [13]
  .
  CCS Chemistry 综述推荐│绿色氧化新思路：光/电催化助力有机物高效升级
  . CCS Chemistry, 2025, 7(10.31635/ccschem.024.202405369): -.
14. [14]
  Jiaxin Su , Jiaqi Zhang , Shuming Chai , Yankun Wang , Sibo Wang , Yuanxing Fang . Optimizing Poly(heptazine imide) Photoanodes Using Binary Molten Salt Synthesis for Water Oxidation Reaction. Acta Physico-Chimica Sinica, 2024, 40(12): 2408012-0. doi: 10.3866/PKU.WHXB202408012
15. [15]
  Changqing MIAO , Fengjiao CHEN , Wenyu LI , Shujie WEI , Yuqing YAO , Keyi WANG , Ni WANG , Xiaoyan XIN , Ming FANG . Crystal structures, DNA action, and antibacterial activities of three tetranuclear lanthanide-based complexes. Chinese Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, 2024, 40(12): 2455-2465. doi: 10.11862/CJIC.20240192
16. [16]
  Jiaxun Wu , Mingde Li , Li Dang . The R eaction of Metal Selenium Complexes with Olefins as a Tutorial Case Study for Analyzing Molecular Orbital Interaction Modes. University Chemistry, 2025, 40(3): 108-115. doi: 10.12461/PKU.DXHX202405098
17. [17]
  Jia JI , Tengqi YAO , Wenqian DENG , Wenjing SHI , Xuan LÜ , Lin TIAN , Xiaoyan XIN , Yinling HOU . Structures, antibacterial activities, and interactions with DNA of two nickel complexes. Chinese Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, 2026, 42(1): 78-86. doi: 10.11862/CJIC.20250141
18. [18]
  Yuying JIANG , Jia LUO , Zhan GAO . Development status and prospects of solid oxide cell high entropy electrode catalysts. Chinese Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, 2025, 41(9): 1719-1730. doi: 10.11862/CJIC.20250124
19. [19]
  Shu'e Song , Xiaokui Wang , Yongmei Liu , Wanchun Zhu , Hong Yuan , Fuping Tian , Yunshan Bai , Yunchao Li , Li Wang , Zhongyun Wu , Yuan Chun , Jianrong Zhang , Shuyong Zhang . Suggestions on Operating Specifications of Physical Chemistry Experiment: Measurement of Viscosity, Density and Optical Properties. University Chemistry, 2025, 40(5): 148-156. doi: 10.12461/PKU.DXHX202503026
20. [20]
  Fuping Tian , Yunshan Bai , Wanchun Zhu , Yufeng Li , Yongmei Liu , Shu'e Song , Hong Yuan , Zhongyun Wu , Li Wang , Xiaokui Wang , Yuan Chun , Jianrong Zhang , Shuyong Zhang . Suggestions on Operating Specifications of Physical Chemistry Experiment: Measurement of Thermal Properties. University Chemistry, 2025, 40(5): 157-164. doi: 10.12461/PKU.DXHX202503054

Get Citation

PDF

XML

Metrics

PDF Downloads(2)
Abstract views(900)
HTML views(77)

通讯作者: 陈斌, bchen63@163.com

1.
沈阳化工大学材料科学与工程学院沈阳 110142