Silver Isocyanate and Lead Cyanate

Silver isocyanate is prepared by adding a solution of 487 g. (6.0 mols) of potassium cyanate in 1 1. of distilled water to a well-stirred solution of 1019 g. (6.0 mols) of silver nitrate in 1 1. of distilled water. The temperature of the mixture is kept below 25° by cooling in an ice bath as nec- 

Lead cyanate is similarly prepared from 1987 g. (6.0 mols) of lead nitrate and 973 g. (12.0 mols) of potassium cyanate. 

High yields of the silicon isocyanates are obtained when freshly prepared silver isocyanate or lead cyanate is employed. When the silver or lead salt is several weeks old, or is dried in an oven, the yields of silicon isocyanates are about 20% lower. 

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