Chloride and Cyanamide

Cyanamide.—An important compound formed from cyanogen chloride is known as cyan-amide and as its name indicates is composed of the cyanogen radical linked to the amine radical. It may be formed by the action of ammonia, in ethereal solution, on cyanogen chloride. 

It is a white crystalline substance slightly soluble in water. This compound is of especial interest because it acts both as a weak base and as a weak acid. The metallic salts are the more stable and the most important one is the calcium salt. 

Calcium Cyanamide.- -Calcium cyan-amide may be formed from the cyanamide itself by the action of lime. 

This synthesis, however, is not the most important nor the most interesting. 

Fixation of Atmospheric Nitrogen.—The great value of this cyanogen compound lies in the two facts (i) that it may be obtained as the result of the fixation of atmospheric nitrogen and (2) that it is a valuable nitrogen fertilizer. 

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Phenylmercuri cyanamide, formed as shown above, is a white amorphous powder which decomposes when heated. It is decomposed by cold dilute hydrochloric acid into phenylmereuric chloride and cyanamide. 

Stanislao Cannizzaro (Palermo, Sicily, 1826-Rome, 10 May 1910) studied in Palermo and Naples. In 1847 he took part in the Rebellion. In 1850 he became Piria s assistant in Paris and in 1851 published his first research, on cyanogen chloride and cyanamide, done jointly with Cloez in Chevreul s laboratory. In 1852 he was appointed in Alessandria and in 1853 published an important researdi on the action of caustic potash on benzaldehyde, obtaining potassium benzoate and benzyl alcohol ( Cannizzaro s reaction ) 2C,H5CHO+KOH=C.HsCOOK+C,H8CH,OH. In 1855 he became professor in G noa, where at fimt there was no laboratory, and there he wrote his famous pamphlet. In i860 he joined Garibaldi at Palermo. In 1861 he became professor in Palermo and in 1870 in Rome, where he was created senator. ... 

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