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This page contains a formula or preparation using substances now known to be dangerously toxic, such as arsenic, mercury, lead, or cyanide compounds. Exposure to these substances can cause severe poisoning, permanent injury, or death.
This information has been left in for historical purposes but should not be acted upon.
Cyanogen
dicyanogen, (CN)2, or (N-C) — (C-N), or Cy2. Obtained by heating silver or mercuric cyanide; also by dry distillation of ammonium oxalate.
Cyanogen is a colorless poisonous gas which liquifies at -25°, or under a pressure of four atmospheres at 20°, and at -34° becomes crystalline. It burns with a peach-blossom-colored flame, forming CO2 and nitrogen; water dissolves four volumes, and alcohol 23 volumes of the gas. Cyanogen is very poisonous, and smells like prussic acid. Cyanogen gas passed into strong aqueous hydrochloric acid is converted into oxamide. Cyanogen dissolves in an aqueous solution of potash, forming cyanide and isocyanate of potassium. Cyanogen can be regarded as the nitril of oxalic acid. Dry ammonia gas and cyanogen combine, forming hydrazulmin, C4N6H6. C.N Small quantitie tities of cyanogen are formed during the distillation of coal. Potassium burns in cyanogen gas, forming potassium cyanide. Cyanogen was discovered by Gay- Lussac in 1815.
CYCLADES (sīk'la-dēz), the principal group of islands in the Grecian Archipelago now belonging to the Kingdom of Greece, so named from lying round the sacred island of Delos in a circle. The largest islands of the group are Andros, Paros, Myconos, Tenos, Naxos, Melos, and Thera or Santorin. They are of volcanic formation and generally mountainous. Some are very fertile, produc- ing wine, olive-oil, and silk; others almost sterile. The inhabitants are excellent sailors. Pop. about 130,400.