Product name: Zinc cyanide
Chemical formula: Zn(CN)2
Content: 55%
Origin: Korea
Specification: 15 kg/carton

Zinc Cyanide or Zinc Cyanide is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula Zn(CN)2. This is a chemical commonly used in industry, mainly in the electroplating industry.

Outstanding properties of zinc cyanide
They are white solids.
Molecular mass: 117.444g/mol.
Melting point: 800 oC.
Zn(CN)2 is almost insoluble in water, with a solubility of 0.00005g/100ml at 20oC.
They are soluble only in alkaline solutions, potassium cyanide and ammonia.

How is zinc cyanide produced?
Zinc cyanide Zn(CN)2 is easily produced by combining aqueous solutions of cyanide and zinc ions, for example via a double replacement reaction between KCN and ZnSO4
ZnSO4 + 2KCN → Zn(CN) 2 + K2SO4

In commerce, people use zinc acetate salt to help prepare this chemical:
Zn(CH3COO)2 + HCN → Zn(CN) 2 + 2CH3COOH
Additionally, ZnCN is produced as a by-product of some gold mining methods:
2[Au(CN)2] – + Zn → 2Au + Zn(CN) 2 + 2CN –

Important applications of zinc cyanide
– The main application is to electroplat zinc from aqueous solutions containing additional cyanide.
– Application in organic synthesis: Zn(CN)2 is used as a catalyst for the cyanosilylation of aldehydes and ketones.
– Has a role in introducing the formyl group in organic synthesis: 2-hydroxy-1-nafthaldehyde has been prepared from 2-naphthol, zinc cyanide, and anhydrous hydrogen chloride.

Advantages and disadvantages of zinc plating solutions in industry
Zinc Cyanide Plating Solution
Consists of main ingredients such as ZnO, NaCN, NaOH, Na2S, and additives. Temperature from 20 oC – 35 oC, current density from 1 – 3 A/dm2.

Advantages: With the ability to distribute high plating metal and high depth of coverage, this plating solution is often used to plate complex details, giving a smooth and flexible plating layer.
Zinc Cyanide plating solution can be used at high temperature, suitable for rotary or hanging plating. Low cost but still achieve high gloss.
Disadvantages: Very toxic, affects human health.

Zincat zinc plating solution

Has simple ingredients, convenient to use.

Advantages: Glossy plating, passive film is difficult to discolor.
Less equipment corrosion, simple wastewater treatment equipment.

Disadvantages: Distribution capacity is worse than zinc cyanide solution. When plating at temperatures above the required level, the brittleness of the plating increases.

Ammonium salt zinc plating solution
Including some types of NH4Cl solution, NH4Cl – N(CH2COOH)3, and NH4Cl-C6H8O7 solution.

Advantages: Creates a smooth, shiny crystalline plating layer with high current efficiency.
Depending on each type, ammonium salt zinc plating solution has different distribution capabilities: NH4Cl solution has the worst distribution capability, NH4Cl – N(CH2COOH)3 solution has the best distribution capability.

Disadvantages: Corrosive to equipment, difficult to treat water.

Zinc plating solution without ammonium salts
Includes ingredients KCl, H3BO3, ZnCl2, polishing agent and some other additives.

Advantages: The plating layer has small, smooth, shiny crystals, good flatness, high current efficiency, fast precipitation rate, wide range of uses, and simple water treatment.

Disadvantages: The passive plating layer in the chromium solution is low, the adhesion is poor, and the plating layer is too thick, which will increase brittleness.

Notes on use and storage of Zinc Cyanide chemicals
Notes on storage of Zinc Cyanide
Zinc Cyanide placed in the workplace must be stored carefully to avoid polluting the environment as well as affecting people around.
Keep them in cool, dry places, away from direct sunlight.
Chemical warehouses must be separated to avoid chemical leakage or spillage causing pollution.
Chemical warehouses must be located far from residential areas, away from water sources, places that store water for daily life or farming because it will seriously affect health.
What should be noted when using Zinc Cyanide?
When in contact with Zinc Cyanide chemicals in particular and other electroplating chemicals in general, it is necessary to equip yourself with appropriate tools and full protective equipment.