Cyanogen chloride

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Cyanogen chloride
Systematic name	Chloroformonitrile
Other names	Chlorine cyanide CK
Molecular formula	CNCl
Molar mass	61.46 g/mol
CAS number	[506-77-4]
UN number	1589
Density	1.19 g/cm3 (liquid)
Solubility (water)	Soluble
Melting point	-6 °C
Boiling point	13.8 °C
Disclaimer and references

Cyanogen chloride is a chemical compound with the formula ClCN. This linear triatomic molecule is an easily condensed colorless gas at room temperature. More commonly enountered in the laboratory is cyanogen bromide, a room temperature solid, which is widely used in biochemical analysis and preparation.

Contents 1 Applications in synthesis 2 Safety 3 References 4 See also 5 External links

[edit] Applications in synthesis

• for the preparation of sulfonyl cyanides.^[1]
• to prepare chlorosulfonyl isocyanate, a useful reagent in organic synthesis.^[2]

[edit] Safety

Also known as CK, cyanogen chloride is a highly toxic blood agent, once proposed for use in chemical warfare. It causes immediate injury upon contact with the eyes or respiratory organs. Symptoms of exposure are loss of consciousness, convulsions, paralysis, and death. It is especially dangerous because it is capable of penetrating the filters in gas masks, according to U.S. analysts. CK is unstable due to polymerization, sometimes with explosive violence^[3].

Cyanogen chloride is listed in schedule 3 of the Chemical Weapons Convention: all production must be reported to the OPCW.

[edit] References

1. ^ Vrijland, M. S. A. "Sulfonyl Cyanides: Methanesulfonyl Cyanide" Organic Syntheses, Collected Volume 6, p.727 (1988).
2. ^ Graf, R. "Chlorosulfonyl Isocyanate" Organic Syntheses, Collected Volume 5, pages 226ff.
3. ^ FM 3-8 Chemical Reference handbook; US Army; 1967

[edit] See also

• Cyanogen
• Cyanogen bromide

[edit] External links

• NIOSH Emergency Response Card
• eMedicine article
• National Pollutant Inventory - Cyanide compounds fact sheet

• Links to external chemical sources

This article forms part of the series Chemical warfare
Blood agents:	Cyanogen chloride (CK) – Hydrogen cyanide (AC)
Blister agents:	Lewisite (L) – Sulfur mustard gas (HD, H, HT, HL, HQ) – Nitrogen mustard gas (HN1, HN2, HN3)
Nerve agents:	G-Agents: Tabun (GA) – Sarin (GB) – Soman (GD) – Cyclosarin (GF) – GV | V-Agents: VE – VG – VM – VX | Novichok agents
Pulmonary agents:	Chlorine – Chloropicrin (PS) – Phosgene (CG) – Diphosgene (DP)
Incapacitating agents:	Agent 15 (BZ) – KOLOKOL-1
Riot control agents:	Pepper spray (OC) – CS gas – CN gas (mace) – CR gas	v • d • e