Hydrogen Cyanide and Cyanogen Chloride

AC and CK are colorless liquids with distinctive odors. The vapor density of AC is slightly less than that of air while that of CK is heavier. AC is more toxic than CK due to higher cyanide content, as indicated by respechve IDLH levels and LCtso values. 

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Jandorf, B.J., Bodansky, O. (1946). Therapeutic and prophylactic effect of methemoglobinemia in inhalation poisoning by hydrogen cyanide and cyanogen chloride. J. Ind. Hyg. Toxicol. 28 124-32. 

Classified as a blood agent, cyanide is usually deployed as hydrogen cyanide and cyanogen chloride. Considerable literature exists on the effects of cyanide (Meredith et al, 1993 Suzuki, 1968 Vick and Froehlich, 1985 Baskin eta/., 2009). Cyanide binds irreversibly to its target sites. In the human host it preferentially accumulates in the hypothalamus and neural tissue. Its concentration in red blood cells is much greater than in plasma. Lethal dose is of the order of 1 mg/kg or inhalation of 50 ml of hydrogen cyanide gas. 

Moore, S., Gates, M. (1946). Hydrogen cyanide and cyanogen chloride. In Summary technical report of Division 9, National Defense Research Committee Vol. 1. Chemical warfare agents and related chemical problems (Pt. 1-2, pp. 7-16). Washington, DC National Defense Research Committee. 

The filter can consist of up to three elements. The outer element is a particulate filter, often made of glass fibre paper, pleated to increase surface area. The inner element is a vapour adsorbent, usually activated granular charcoal. The third element comprises various chemicals impregnated on to the charcoal, such as copper, chromium, silver and triethylenediamine (TEDA), to react with volatile chemical agents such as hydrogen cyanide and cyanogen chloride that are poorly adsorbed. 

D. Cyanides include cyanide, hydrogen cyanide, and cyanogen chloride. These compounds have high affinity for metalloenzymes such as cytochrome aa3, thus derailing cellular respiration and forcing the use of anaerobic metabolism and the development of lactic acidosis. 

NDRC (1946b) Hydrogen cyanide and cyanogen chloride. In Preparation and evaluation of potential chemical warfare agents. Summary Technical Report of Division 9, NDRC, vol 1, part 1, chapter 2. National Defense Research Committee, Office of Scientific Research and Development, Washington, DC, pp 7-16. 

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