2 CH4 (g) + 2 NH3 (g) + 3 O2 (g) → 2 HCN (l) + 6 H2O (l)

This is an oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction:

2 C-IV - 12 e- → 2 CII (oxidation)

6 O0 + 12 e- → 6 O-II (reduction)

CH4 is a reducing agent, O2 is an oxidizing agent.

Reactants:

  • CH4 – Methane source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04, Carbane (never recommended) source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27
    • Other names: Marsh gas source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02, Natural gas source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27, Carbon tetrahydride source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27
    • Appearance: Colorless gas source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27; Colourless odourless compressed or liquefied gas source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04
  • NH3
    • Names: Ammonia source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02, Azane (only intended for use in naming derivatives of ammonia) source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27, Hydrogen nitride source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27
    • Appearance: Colourless gas source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27; Colourless gas or compressed liquefied gas with pungent odour source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04; Colorless gas with a pungent, suffocating odor. [Note: Shipped as a liquefied compressed gas. Easily liquefied under pressure.] source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02
  • O2
    • Names: Dioxygen source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-07, Oxygen source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-07, Oxygen (liquefied) source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04
    • Appearance: Odourless compressed gas source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04; Liquefied gas. colourless-to-blue extremely cold liquid source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04

Products:

  • HCN – Formonitrile (substitutive) source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27, Hydridonitridocarbon (additive) source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27
    • Other names: Hydrogen cyanide source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02, {{unbulleted list|Formic anammonide|Hydrocyanic acid|Prussic acid|Methanenitrile source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27, Hydrogen cyanide, liquefied source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04
    • Appearance: Colorless liquid or gas source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27; Colourless gas or liquid with characteristic odour source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04; Colorless or pale-blue liquid or gas (above 78°F) with a bitter, almond-like odor. [Note: Often used as a 96% solution in water.] source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02
  • H2O – Water, oxidane source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27
    • Other names: Water (H2O) source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27, Hydrogen hydroxide (HH or HOH) source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27, Hydrogen oxide source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27
    • Appearance: White crystalline solid, almost colorless liquid with a hint of blue, colorless gas source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27