Potassium cyanide

Potassium cyanide is a compound with the formula KCN. This colorless crystalline salt, similar in appearance to sugar, is highly soluble in water. Most KCN is used in gold mining, organic synthesis, and electroplating. Smaller applications include jewellery for chemical gilding and buffing.

Exposure to potassium cyanide can berapidly fatal

Cyanide is a highly cytotoxic poison and its intoxication may be acute or chronic. Acute intoxication is lethal if not immediately diagnosed and treated within 30 minutes.