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cyanide

(Encyclopedia)cyanide sīˈənīdˌ [key], chemical compound containing the cyano group, –CN. Cyanides are salts or esters of hydrogen cyanide (hydrocyanic acid, HCN) formed by replacing the hydrogen with a metal...

cyanide process

(Encyclopedia)cyanide process or cyanidation, method for extracting gold from its ore. The ore is first finely ground and may be concentrated by flotation; if it contains certain impurities, it may be roasted. It i...

hydrogen cyanide

(Encyclopedia)hydrogen cyanide, HCN, colorless, volatile, and extremely poisonous chemical compound whose vapors have a bitter almond odor. It melts at −14℃ and boils at 26℃. It is miscible in all proportions...

cyano group

(Encyclopedia)cyano group sīˈənō, sī-ănˈō [key], in chemistry, functional group that consists of a carbon atom joined to a nitrogen atom by a triple bond; it can be joined to an atom or another group by a s...

laetrile

(Encyclopedia)laetrile lāˈətrĭlˌ [key], name given to the chemical amygdalin, a substance derived from an extract of the kernels of many fruits, notably apricots, bitter almonds, and peaches. The idea that lae...

prussic acid

(Encyclopedia)prussic acid: see hydrogen cyanide. ...

hydrocyanic acid

(Encyclopedia)hydrocyanic acid hīˌdrōsīănˈĭk [key]: see hydrogen cyanide. ...

cyanogen

(Encyclopedia)cyanogen sīănˈəjən [key], NCCN, colorless, flammable, extremely poisonous gas with a characteristic odor somewhat like that of hydrogen cyanide. It melts at −35℃, boils at −21℃, and is so...

tear gas

(Encyclopedia)tear gas, gas that causes temporary blindness through the excessive flow of tears resulting from irritation of the eyes. The gas is used in chemical warfare and as a means for dispersing mobs. Compoun...

cesium

(Encyclopedia)cesium sēˈzēəm [key] [Lat.,=bluish gray], a metallic chemical element; symbol Cs; at. no. 55; at. wt. 132.90545; m.p. 28.4℃; b.p. 669.3℃; sp. gr. 1.873 at 20℃; valence +1. Cesium is a ductil...

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