Sodium cyanide

Sodium cyanide (CAS 143-33-9), also sold under the trade names Cymag and Cyanogran, is an inorganic salt used primarily as a chemical reagent and processing agent in mining, metal finishing, and chemical synthesis.

Where is Sodium cyanide used?

• Gold and silver mining: primary lixiviant in heap leach and tank leach circuits, selectively dissolving precious metals from ore for downstream recovery
• Electroplating and metal finishing: complexing agent in copper, zinc, and cadmium bath formulations to control deposition quality
• Pharmaceutical manufacturing: building block in synthesizing nitrile intermediates and other nitrogen-containing active pharmaceutical ingredients
• Organic synthesis: cyanide source in nucleophilic addition reactions to produce specialty chemicals and polymer precursors
• Its ability to form stable complexes with metals drives its role in extractive and surface treatment processes.

Good to know: Handling requirements are governed by strict regulatory frameworks in most jurisdictions.

Commercial specifications

• Technical grade, purity typically 98% or higher
• Bulk packaging for large-scale industrial procurement