Hg(CN)2 (aq) → (CN)2 (g) + Hg (l)

This is an oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction:

HgII + 2 e- → Hg0 (reduction)

Hg(CN)2 is an oxidizing agent.

This is a gas evolution reaction, (CN)2 is the formed gas.

Reactants:

  • Hg(CN)2 – Dicyanomercury source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02
    • Other names: Mercury(II) cyanide source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27, Mercuric cyanide; cyanomercury; mercury cyanide; mercury dicyanide; hydrargyri cyanidum source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27, Mercury dicyanide source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02
    • Appearance: Colorless crystals or white powder source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27

Products:

  • (CN)2 – Oxalonitrile source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02
    • Other names: Cyanogen source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02, Ethanedinitrile source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02, Dicyan source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02
    • Appearance: Colourless gas source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27; Colourless gas or compressed liquefied gas with characteristic odour source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04; Colorless gas with a pungent, almond-like odor. [Note: Shipped as a liquefied compressed gas. Forms cyanide in the body.] source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02
  • Hg
    • Names: Mercury source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-07source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04, Hg source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-07, Quicksilver source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-07source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04
    • Appearance: Odourless heavy mobile silvery liquid metal source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04