NaOH (aq) + HCN (aq) → H2O (l) + NaCN (aq)

This is an acid-base reaction (neutralization): NaOH is a base, HCN is an acid.

Reactants:

  • NaOH
    • Names: Sodium hydroxide source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02, Caustic soda source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02, Lye source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02
    • Appearance: White, waxy, opaque crystals source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27; White hygroscopic solid in various forms source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04; Colorless to white, odorless solid (flakes, beads, granular form). source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02
  • 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

Products:

  • 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
  • NaCN
    • Names: Sodium cyanide source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04, Sodium cyanide (as CN) source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02, Sodium salt of hydrocyanic acid source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02, Hydrocyanic acid, sodium salt source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04
    • Appearance: White solid source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27; White hygroscopic crystalline powder with characteristic odour. odourless when dry source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04; White, granular or crystalline solid with a faint, almond-like odor. source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02