Can silver potassium cyanide kill you?

Answer 1

Let's clear one thing up first: potassium cyanide is a solid (powder). At room temperature, in its pure form, it can't be drunk.

Of course, one can take a tablespoon of potassium cyanide and dissolve it in a glass of water, THEN drink the resulting solution. The result would be a quick DEATH, because there is more than a fatal dose of cyanide in one tablespoon of the compound.


The gas chamber, which was used as an execution method by some US states until quite recently, makes use of potassium cyanide. Pellets or powdered potassium cyanide are dropped into a dish filled with sulfuric acid, which is placed underneath the chair of the condemned prisoner. The potassium cyanide quickly reacts with the acid, and releases hydrogen cyanide, which is the gas that poisons and kills the prisoner.


Potassium cyanide is a common and useful laboratory chemical, despite its toxicity. As with all laboratory chemicals, it should be used with care and respect.

Answer 2

Compared to normal cyanides like potassium cyanide, ferricyanides are much less toxic because of the tight hold of the CN- to the Fe3+. They do react with mineral acids, however, to release highly toxic hydrogen cyanide gas.

Answer 3

If it kills you let me know please.