The pH of sodium cyanide in water is a key issue in chemical research. Sodium cyanide is a highly toxic compound. It dissolves in water and reacts chemically.

When sodium cyanide meets water, cyanide ions ($CN ^ - $) will hydrolyze with water molecules. Water molecules ($H_2O $) can weakly ionize hydrogen ions ($H ^ + $) and hydroxide ions ($OH ^ - $). Cyanide ions tend to combine with hydrogen ions to form hydrocyanic acid ($HCN $), which is a weak acid. Because hydrogen ions are bound by cyanide ions, the concentration of hydroxide ions in water is relatively high, so the solution is alkaline.

To accurately determine the pH value of sodium cyanide in water, rigorous chemical experimental procedures are required. Professional instruments such as pH meters can be used to measure under specific temperature, concentration and other conditions. Generally speaking, the higher the concentration of sodium cyanide solution, the more hydroxide ions produced by hydrolysis, and the higher the pH value. And temperature also affects its hydrolysis balance. Heating can promote hydrolysis, causing changes in the concentration of hydroxide ions, which in turn affects the pH value.

In practical applications and research scenarios, clarifying the pH characteristics of sodium cyanide in water is of great significance to chemical production, environmental monitoring and other fields. If chemical production involves the use of sodium cyanide, it is necessary to precisely control its pH in the solution to ensure the safety of the production process and product quality. At the environmental monitoring level, if a water body is contaminated with sodium cyanide, measuring its pH value can help evaluate the degree of pollution and the spread of the situation, providing a key basis for subsequent control measures.