Lecture Notes: Understanding Cyanide

Introduction

• Cyanide in Popular Culture
  • Often depicted as a fast-acting poison in crime novels and movies.
  • Has a more complex role beyond its portrayal.
• Objective
  • Explore cyanide's composition, function, natural occurrence, and uses in various industries.

Chemical Composition

• Structure
  • Consists of a carbon atom triple bonded to a nitrogen atom (CN group).
  • Highly reactive and toxic.
• Forms of Cyanide
  • Gases (e.g., hydrogen cyanide).
  • Solid salts (e.g., sodium or potassium cyanide).

Mechanism of Toxicity

• Disrupts cellular respiration by preventing oxygen use in cells.
• Small amounts can severely impair cellular energy production.

Natural Occurrence

• Foods Containing Cyanide
  • Found in seeds and pits of apples, cherries, peaches, apricots, and almonds.
  • Contains amygdalin, which releases cyanide upon digestion.
  • Swallowing whole seeds generally safe; crushing/chewing can release cyanide.

Historical Context

• Discovery and Use
  • Isolated by Carl Wilhelm Scheele in 1782 from Prussian blue dye.
  • 1887: Gold extraction revolutionized by sodium cyanide process.
  • 1930s-40s: Used in Zyklon B by Nazis for genocide.

Industrial Uses

• Mining
  • Used in gold and silver extraction (leaching).
  • Controversial due to environmental risks.
• Manufacturing
  • Produces plastics, synthetic rubber, pharmaceuticals.

Medical Uses

• Vasodilator
  • Treats hypertensive emergencies and heart failure.
  • Administered via IV to manage risk of toxicity.
• Antidotes
  • Hydroxocobalamin and sodium thiosulfate.

Cyanide in Warfare

• Weaponization
  • Rapidly lethal; interferes with oxygen use.
  • Infamously used in WWII by Nazis.
• Regulations
  • Prohibited by international laws like the Chemical Weapons Convention.

Conclusion

• Dual Nature
  • Valuable in controlled industrial and medical uses.
  • Recognized for its lethal potential in warfare and accidents.
• Moral Implications
  • Highlights balance between beneficial use and potential harm.

Additional Context

• Jonestown Massacre
  • Mass suicide using cyanide-laced Kool-Aid.
• Current Research
  • Investigating cyanide's interaction with robotics.
• Medical Importance
  • Important in heart medication due to blood vessel relaxation effects.

Note: The lecturer's demonstration with apple seeds showed cyanide presence, indicating its potential toxicity with high consumption. The lethal dose was mentioned to be around 100 apple seeds.