How to Make Cyanide
2CaCN2 + 4H2O = (CN · NH2)2 + 2Ca (OH)2. (2) This, when fused with sodium carbonate and carbon, is largely converted into sodium cyanide: (CN · NH2)2 + Na2CO3 + 2C = 2NaCN + NH3 + N + H + 3CO. A portion of the dicyan-diamide sublimes and polymerizes; this is recovered and re-treated with Na2CO3 in a subsequent operation.
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