Synthesis of silver cyanide without poisonous KCN or NaCN

摘要

Highly crystalline silver cyanide (AgCN) was synthesized at room temperature using acetonitrile (CH3CN) as a source of cyanide ion (CN-). The in-situ generation of CN- was assisted by the C-CN bond breaking of CH3CN. The reaction was found to be catalyzed by vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The process was very simple and effective one as it was possible to extract the white precipitate of AgCN simply by filtration method. The overnight standing of the whole reaction mixture resulted in the 100% conversion of AgNO3 to AgCN. The most significant aspect of the process was that it did not involve any poisonous cyanide compounds like potassium or sodium cyanide; KCN or NaCN. Further, it also did not lead to the formation of any hazardous waste. The present synthetic approach was thus regarded as an alternative and greener route for preparation of pure AgCN directly from AgNO3.