On the Acid-Base Properties of Sodium Cyanide

If there is any doubt that sodium cyanide is an acid or a base, this is the essence of chemistry. To understand its properties, we should study its essence.

Sodium cyanide, its chemical formula is $NaCN $. In water, it hydrolyzes. Sodium ion $ (Na ^ +) $is relatively stable in water environment, while cyanogen ion $ (CN ^ -) $reacts with water. In water, hydrogen ion $ (H ^ +) $and hydroxide ion $ (OH ^ - )$ 。 Cyanogen ion $ (CN ^ -) $affinity hydrogen ion $ (H ^ + )$， forms hydrocyanic acid $ (HCN) $, which is a weak acid and is not easy to completely ionize.

Because of cyanogen ion $ (CN ^ -) $binding hydrogen ion $ (H ^ + )$， makes the concentration of hydroxide ion $ (OH ^ -) $in water relatively increase. According to the theory of acid and base, in aqueous solution, if the concentration of hydroxide ion $ (OH ^ -) $is greater than the concentration of hydrogen ion $ (H ^ +) $, the solution is alkaline. Therefore, the aqueous solution of sodium cyanide is alkaline, so it can be broken that sodium cyanide is a strong base and a weak acid salt, and its properties belong to the alkali class.

In summary, sodium cyanide is not an acid but a base, which is based on its hydrolysis in water and acid-base theory. If this is understood, it will be further understood in chemistry.