SOLVED:Oxidation of the cyanide ion produces the stable cyanate ion, $\mathrm{OCN}^{-}$ . The fulminate ion, $\mathrm{CNO}^{-}$, on the other hand, is very unstable. Fulminate salts explode when struck; $\mathrm{Hg}(\mathrm{CNO})_{2}$ is used in blasting caps. Write the Lewis structures and assign formal charges for the cyanate and fulminate ions. Why is the fulminate ion so unstable? (C is the central atom in $\mathrm{OCN}^{-}$ and $\mathrm{N}$ is the central atom in $\mathrm{CNO}^{-}$ )

The cyanate ion (OCN-) and the fulminate ion (CNO-) share the same three atoms but have vastly different properties. The cyanate ion is stable, while the fulminate ion is unstable and forms explosive compounds. The resonance structures of the cyanate ion were explored in Example 5.6. Draw Lewis structures for the fulminate ion-including possible resonance forms-and use formal charge to explain why the fulminate ion is less stable (and therefore more reactive) than the cyanate ion.

How deadly is cyanide?

SOLVED: Cyanide binds to at least one molecule involved in producing ATP. In a cell exposed to cyanide, most of the cyanide will be in(A) mitochondria.(C) peroxisomes.(B) ribosomes.(D) lysosomes.

Laurel: Gardener reveals how plant can turn into CYANIDE