Chemical Properties
crystal(s) or white powder(s); turns brown if heated in air; used to electroplate cadmium [HAW93] [MER06]
Physical properties
White, cubic crystal or powder; density 2.226 g/cm
3; sparingly soluble in water 1.71g/100mL (at 15°C); slightly soluble in alcohol; dissolves in alkali, metal cyanides, and hydroxides.
Uses
In copper bright electroplating.
Preparation
Cadmium cyanide may be prepared by treating a concentrated aqueous solution of cadmium chloride or cadmium nitrate with potassium cyanide or sodium cyanide. The white precipitate obtained is filtered, washed and dried.
CdCl
2 + 2KCN → Cd(CN)
2 + 2KCl.
