Potassium argentocyanide is an
inorganic compound with the formula KAg(CN)
2. A white solid, it is the K
+ salt of the linear
coordination complex
A coordination complex consists of a central atom or ion, which is usually metallic and is called the ''coordination centre'', and a surrounding array of bound molecules or ions, that are in turn known as '' ligands'' or complexing agents. ...
g(CN)2sup>-. It forms upon treatment of virtually any silver salt with two equivalents of
potassium cyanide.
Uses and reactions
KAg(CN)
2 is significant adventitious product of
gold mining using cyanide as an extractant.
It can be used in
silver plating
Plating is a surface covering in which a metal is deposited on a conductive surface. Plating has been done for hundreds of years; it is also critical for modern technology. Plating is used to decorate objects, for corrosion inhibition, to improv ...
, as a
bactericide
A bactericide or bacteriocide, sometimes abbreviated Bcidal, is a substance which kills bacteria. Bactericides are disinfectants, antiseptics, or antibiotics.
However, material surfaces can also have bactericidal properties based solely on thei ...
, and in the manufacture of antiseptics.
It forms a variety of coordination polymers, a property that exploits the
bridging tendency of the cyanide ligand.
References
Potassium compounds
Silver compounds
Cyano complexes
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