I've been trying to get this HCN production process to work. My first attempt was moved to this mega-thread, where it's on page 28. Nobody has really responded to the questions and problems I've documented in four subsequent posts. I
am wondering if this is because it's part of a mega-thread? Or does it belong in a different subforum -- maybe Organic Chemistry or Beginnings
(though not that a "beginner" should be attempting HCN synthesis!)? If so, should I move it (if so, how?), or can a moderator move it as appropriate?aga - 15-9-2015 at 13:25
Just start a new thread in the appropriate topic.
You'll get answers (or not) there.
I suspect that talking about Hydrogen Cyanide synthesis is uncomfortable for most sane people.
Even i'd be unwilling to offer any clues (if i knew how) as it will kill you, or your intended victims, or both.
Edit:
What exactly do you wish to do with HCN ?
[Edited on 15-9-2015 by aga]Crowfjord - 15-9-2015 at 13:52
In my opinion, those posts belong in the big cyanide thread. It's good to have at least some minor efforts of organization on the forum. I think that
your questions have gone unanswered there so far because no one who has any clue has seen them yet. I suggest either being patient and waiting a few
more days, maybe bumping the thread if you need to, or sending a U2U to Dan Vizine. He might possibly be the only member who has enough experience
with that reaction to help. lysander - 15-9-2015 at 14:33
I suspect that talking about Hydrogen Cyanide synthesis is uncomfortable for most sane people.
Even i'd be unwilling to offer any clues (if i knew how) as it will kill you, or your intended victims, or both.
What exactly do you wish to do with HCN?
Yes, fair concerns and questions.
I need cyanides for a metal separation problem I wanted to work on. Since I can't buy cyan salts I was working on synthesizing those. Then I
discovered that HCN might offer a potentially easier route to produce the anhydrous cyanides I need. That's debatable, but now I'm just baffled at my
inability to reproduce what is a (dangerous, yes, but I'm already working with cyanides, so either I have safe lab practices or I'm dead) relatively
simple reaction.
[Edited on 15-9-2015 by lysander]j_sum1 - 15-9-2015 at 14:45
FWIW (which is not much), I have no experience with working with cyanides and no intention of doing so in the foreseeable future. However, I do take
note of questions like yours and occasionally read them carefully. If I ever needed to know about the field then a big cyanide thread would be the
first pace I would go. Detailed posts such as yours which describe things not going according to plan are particularly valuable. That is the kind of
stuff you never find in a textbook or publication. It also helps that these kinds of threads are bumped every now and then and contain an assortment
of related issues. Otherwise I might not even be aware of their existence. I do hope that someone can answer your question and add it to the thread.
Let's not underestimate the value of the information that is discussed in some of these mega threads.aga - 15-9-2015 at 14:50
Well, the question is What you wish to synthesise.
HCN may be one route. There could be Other routes.
Name a target compound and let's see if an inexperienced (1 day) OC dabbler can come up with a solution.
Same applies if it's an IOC compund, just i got more days in IOC.lysander - 15-9-2015 at 15:20
I can see the arguments for leaving it in the big thread. I guess if users seeing bumped mega-threads don't tend to discount them because they're so
long then I'll just wait and assume I have the best shot with the posts as they presently sit. One advantage of that could be that those threads are
maximally subscribed by those with interest and expertise, although I hope email notifications are working for other users because they aren't for me!
@aga: To start I need to run some tests with anhydrous NaCN. I've gotten so hung up on that synthesis that I'd have to dig out my notes to remember
where I thought it would go from there. Maybe I'll do that and post the general problem and plan so I can get other thoughts, but the last time I
asked on a forum the answer was, "Well, see what these tests do and then you might have a better idea of which way you can go."
[Edited on 16-9-2015 by lysander]Agari - 2-11-2015 at 20:29
By none other than:Myfanwy,the only SM member to die to phosgene poisoning in 2010, RIP.
Toxic,but not as bad as other compounds such as Dimethyl Mercury.
Want a salt? https://www.youtube.com/v/kwGf4LVIb3g
This one results in a mixture of Sodium and Potassium Cyanides,but should be easy to separate,that's as close to anhydrous as I would dare try.
