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Chemical reactions
2HCN + H2O 💧⚡→ N2↑ + CO↑ + CH4↑

2HCN + H₂O 💧⚡→ N₂↑ + CO↑ + CH₄↑

Last updated: June 13, 2022

Electrolysis of aqueous hydrogen cyanide with water as non-redox agent: 2HCNHydrogen cyanide + H₂OWater
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N₂↑Nitrogen + CO↑Carbon monoxide + CH₄↑Methane

Electrolysis of aqueous hydrogen cyanide yields nitrogen, carbon monoxide, and methane (Other reactions are here). This reaction is an oxidation-reduction reaction and is classified as follows:

Electrolysis of aqueous solution with water as non redox agent

Table of contents

Reaction data

Chemical equation

Electrolysis of aqueous hydrogen cyanide with water as non-redox agent: 2HCNHydrogen cyanide + H₂OWater
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N₂↑Nitrogen + CO↑Carbon monoxide + CH₄↑Methane

General equation

Electrolysis of aqueous solution with water as non redox agent: Miscible with water/Very soluble in water/Soluble in waterSelf redox agent + H₂ONon-redox agent
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ProductOxidation product + ProductReduction product

Oxidation state of each atom

Electrolysis of aqueous hydrogen cyanide with water as non-redox agent

Reactants

Chemical formula	Name	Coefficient	Type	Type in general equation
HCN	Hydrogen cyanide	2	Self redox agent	Miscible with water
H₂O	Water	1	–	Water

Products

Chemical formula	Name	Coefficient	Type	Type in general equation
N₂	Nitrogen	1	Oxidized	–
CO	Carbon monoxide	1	–	–
CH₄	Methane	1	Reduced	–

Thermodynamic changes

Changes in standard condition

Electrolysis of aqueous hydrogen cyanide with water as non-redox agent ◆ Δ_rG −200.70 kJ/mol K 1.45 × 10³⁵ pK −35.16: 2HCNLiquid + H₂OLiquid
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N₂↑Gas + CO↑Gas + CH₄↑Gas

	Standard enthalpy of reaction Δ_rH° kJ · mol⁻¹	Standard Gibbs energy of reaction Δ_rG° kJ · mol⁻¹	Standard entropy of reaction Δ_rS° J · K⁻¹ · mol⁻¹	Standard heat capacity of reaction at constant pressure Δ_rC_p° J · K⁻¹ · mol⁻¹
per 1 mol of Equation	−117.25	−200.70	279.96	−122.98
per 1 mol of Hydrogen cyanide	−58.625	−100.35	139.98	−61.490
per 1 mol of Water	−117.25	−200.70	279.96	−122.98
per 1 mol of Nitrogen	−117.25	−200.70	279.96	−122.98
per 1 mol of Carbon monoxide	−117.25	−200.70	279.96	−122.98
per 1 mol of Methane	−117.25	−200.70	279.96	−122.98

Changes in aqueous solution (1)

Electrolysis of aqueous hydrogen cyanide with water as non-redox agent ◆ Δ_rG −295.6 kJ/mol K 6.12 × 10⁵¹ pK −51.79: 2HCNIonized aqueous solution + H₂OLiquid
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N₂↑Gas + CO↑Gas + CH₄↑Gas

	Standard enthalpy of reaction Δ_rH° kJ · mol⁻¹	Standard Gibbs energy of reaction Δ_rG° kJ · mol⁻¹	Standard entropy of reaction Δ_rS° J · K⁻¹ · mol⁻¹	Standard heat capacity of reaction at constant pressure Δ_rC_p° J · K⁻¹ · mol⁻¹
per 1 mol of Equation	−200.7	−295.6	317.4	–
per 1 mol of Hydrogen cyanide	−100.3	−147.8	158.7	–
per 1 mol of Water	−200.7	−295.6	317.4	–
per 1 mol of Nitrogen	−200.7	−295.6	317.4	–
per 1 mol of Carbon monoxide	−200.7	−295.6	317.4	–
per 1 mol of Methane	−200.7	−295.6	317.4	–

Changes in aqueous solution (2)

Electrolysis of aqueous hydrogen cyanide with water as non-redox agent ◆ Δ_rG −279.2 kJ/mol K 8.20 × 10⁴⁸ pK −48.91: 2HCNIonized aqueous solution + H₂OLiquid
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N₂↑Gas + CO↑Gas + CH₄↑Un-ionized aqueous solution

	Standard enthalpy of reaction Δ_rH° kJ · mol⁻¹	Standard Gibbs energy of reaction Δ_rG° kJ · mol⁻¹	Standard entropy of reaction Δ_rS° J · K⁻¹ · mol⁻¹	Standard heat capacity of reaction at constant pressure Δ_rC_p° J · K⁻¹ · mol⁻¹
per 1 mol of Equation	−214.9	−279.2	214.9	–
per 1 mol of Hydrogen cyanide	−107.5	−139.6	107.5	–
per 1 mol of Water	−214.9	−279.2	214.9	–
per 1 mol of Nitrogen	−214.9	−279.2	214.9	–
per 1 mol of Carbon monoxide	−214.9	−279.2	214.9	–
per 1 mol of Methane	−214.9	−279.2	214.9	–

Changes in aqueous solution (3)

Electrolysis of aqueous hydrogen cyanide with water as non-redox agent ◆ Δ_rG −278.3 kJ/mol K 5.70 × 10⁴⁸ pK −48.76: 2HCNIonized aqueous solution + H₂OLiquid
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N₂↑Gas + CO↑Un-ionized aqueous solution + CH₄↑Gas

	Standard enthalpy of reaction Δ_rH° kJ · mol⁻¹	Standard Gibbs energy of reaction Δ_rG° kJ · mol⁻¹	Standard entropy of reaction Δ_rS° J · K⁻¹ · mol⁻¹	Standard heat capacity of reaction at constant pressure Δ_rC_p° J · K⁻¹ · mol⁻¹
per 1 mol of Equation	−211.1	−278.3	224.4	–
per 1 mol of Hydrogen cyanide	−105.5	−139.2	112.2	–
per 1 mol of Water	−211.1	−278.3	224.4	–
per 1 mol of Nitrogen	−211.1	−278.3	224.4	–
per 1 mol of Carbon monoxide	−211.1	−278.3	224.4	–
per 1 mol of Methane	−211.1	−278.3	224.4	–

Changes in aqueous solution (4)

Electrolysis of aqueous hydrogen cyanide with water as non-redox agent ◆ Δ_rG −261.9 kJ/mol K 7.64 × 10⁴⁵ pK −45.88: 2HCNIonized aqueous solution + H₂OLiquid
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N₂↑Gas + CO↑Un-ionized aqueous solution + CH₄↑Un-ionized aqueous solution

	Standard enthalpy of reaction Δ_rH° kJ · mol⁻¹	Standard Gibbs energy of reaction Δ_rG° kJ · mol⁻¹	Standard entropy of reaction Δ_rS° J · K⁻¹ · mol⁻¹	Standard heat capacity of reaction at constant pressure Δ_rC_p° J · K⁻¹ · mol⁻¹
per 1 mol of Equation	−225.4	−261.9	121.8	–
per 1 mol of Hydrogen cyanide	−112.7	−130.9	60.90	–
per 1 mol of Water	−225.4	−261.9	121.8	–
per 1 mol of Nitrogen	−225.4	−261.9	121.8	–
per 1 mol of Carbon monoxide	−225.4	−261.9	121.8	–
per 1 mol of Methane	−225.4	−261.9	121.8	–

Changes in aqueous solution (5)

Electrolysis of aqueous hydrogen cyanide with water as non-redox agent ◆ Δ_rG −190.2 kJ/mol K 2.10 × 10³³ pK −33.32: 2HCNUn-ionized aqueous solution + H₂OLiquid
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N₂↑Gas + CO↑Gas + CH₄↑Gas

	Standard enthalpy of reaction Δ_rH° kJ · mol⁻¹	Standard Gibbs energy of reaction Δ_rG° kJ · mol⁻¹	Standard entropy of reaction Δ_rS° J · K⁻¹ · mol⁻¹	Standard heat capacity of reaction at constant pressure Δ_rC_p° J · K⁻¹ · mol⁻¹
per 1 mol of Equation	−113.7	−190.2	256.2	–
per 1 mol of Hydrogen cyanide	−56.85	−95.10	128.1	–
per 1 mol of Water	−113.7	−190.2	256.2	–
per 1 mol of Nitrogen	−113.7	−190.2	256.2	–
per 1 mol of Carbon monoxide	−113.7	−190.2	256.2	–
per 1 mol of Methane	−113.7	−190.2	256.2	–

Changes in aqueous solution (6)

Electrolysis of aqueous hydrogen cyanide with water as non-redox agent ◆ Δ_rG −173.8 kJ/mol K 2.81 × 10³⁰ pK −30.45: 2HCNUn-ionized aqueous solution + H₂OLiquid
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N₂↑Gas + CO↑Gas + CH₄↑Un-ionized aqueous solution

	Standard enthalpy of reaction Δ_rH° kJ · mol⁻¹	Standard Gibbs energy of reaction Δ_rG° kJ · mol⁻¹	Standard entropy of reaction Δ_rS° J · K⁻¹ · mol⁻¹	Standard heat capacity of reaction at constant pressure Δ_rC_p° J · K⁻¹ · mol⁻¹
per 1 mol of Equation	−127.9	−173.8	153.7	–
per 1 mol of Hydrogen cyanide	−63.95	−86.90	76.85	–
per 1 mol of Water	−127.9	−173.8	153.7	–
per 1 mol of Nitrogen	−127.9	−173.8	153.7	–
per 1 mol of Carbon monoxide	−127.9	−173.8	153.7	–
per 1 mol of Methane	−127.9	−173.8	153.7	–

Changes in aqueous solution (7)

Electrolysis of aqueous hydrogen cyanide with water as non-redox agent ◆ Δ_rG −172.9 kJ/mol K 1.95 × 10³⁰ pK −30.29: 2HCNUn-ionized aqueous solution + H₂OLiquid
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N₂↑Gas + CO↑Un-ionized aqueous solution + CH₄↑Gas

	Standard enthalpy of reaction Δ_rH° kJ · mol⁻¹	Standard Gibbs energy of reaction Δ_rG° kJ · mol⁻¹	Standard entropy of reaction Δ_rS° J · K⁻¹ · mol⁻¹	Standard heat capacity of reaction at constant pressure Δ_rC_p° J · K⁻¹ · mol⁻¹
per 1 mol of Equation	−124.1	−172.9	163.2	–
per 1 mol of Hydrogen cyanide	−62.05	−86.45	81.60	–
per 1 mol of Water	−124.1	−172.9	163.2	–
per 1 mol of Nitrogen	−124.1	−172.9	163.2	–
per 1 mol of Carbon monoxide	−124.1	−172.9	163.2	–
per 1 mol of Methane	−124.1	−172.9	163.2	–

Changes in aqueous solution (8)

Electrolysis of aqueous hydrogen cyanide with water as non-redox agent ◆ Δ_rG −156.5 kJ/mol K 2.62 × 10²⁷ pK −27.42: 2HCNUn-ionized aqueous solution + H₂OLiquid
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N₂↑Gas + CO↑Un-ionized aqueous solution + CH₄↑Un-ionized aqueous solution

	Standard enthalpy of reaction Δ_rH° kJ · mol⁻¹	Standard Gibbs energy of reaction Δ_rG° kJ · mol⁻¹	Standard entropy of reaction Δ_rS° J · K⁻¹ · mol⁻¹	Standard heat capacity of reaction at constant pressure Δ_rC_p° J · K⁻¹ · mol⁻¹
per 1 mol of Equation	−138.4	−156.5	60.6	–
per 1 mol of Hydrogen cyanide	−69.20	−78.25	30.3	–
per 1 mol of Water	−138.4	−156.5	60.6	–
per 1 mol of Nitrogen	−138.4	−156.5	60.6	–
per 1 mol of Carbon monoxide	−138.4	−156.5	60.6	–
per 1 mol of Methane	−138.4	−156.5	60.6	–

Thermodynamic data of reactants

Chemical formula	Standard enthalpy of formation Δ_fH° kJ · mol⁻¹	Standard Gibbs energy of formation Δ_fG° kJ · mol⁻¹	Standard molar entropy S° J · K⁻¹ · mol⁻¹	Standard molar heat capacity at constant pressure C_p° J · K⁻¹ · mol⁻¹
HCN (l)	108.87^[1]	124.97^[1]	112.84^[1]	70.63^[1]
HCN (g)	135.1^[1]	124.7^[1]	201.78^[1]	35.86^[1]
HCN (ai)	150.6^[1]	172.4^[1]	94.1^[1]	–
HCN (ao)	107.1^[1]	119.7^[1]	124.7^[1]	–
H₂O (cr)	–	–	–	–
H₂O (l)	-285.830^[1]	-237.129^[1]	69.91^[1]	75.291^[1]
H₂O (g)	-241.818^[1]	-228.572^[1]	188.825^[1]	33.577^[1]

* (l):Liquid, (g):Gas, (ai):Ionized aqueous solution, (ao):Un-ionized aqueous solution, (cr):Crystalline solid

Thermodynamic data of products

Chemical formula	Standard enthalpy of formation Δ_fH° kJ · mol⁻¹	Standard Gibbs energy of formation Δ_fG° kJ · mol⁻¹	Standard molar entropy S° J · K⁻¹ · mol⁻¹	Standard molar heat capacity at constant pressure C_p° J · K⁻¹ · mol⁻¹
N₂ (g)	0^[1]	0^[1]	191.61^[1]	29.125^[1]
CO (g)	-110.525^[1]	-137.168^[1]	197.674^[1]	29.142^[1]
CO (ao)	-120.96^[1]	-119.90^[1]	104.6^[1]	–
CH₄ (g)	-74.81^[1]	-50.72^[1]	186.264^[1]	35.309^[1]
CH₄ (ao)	-89.04^[1]	-34.33^[1]	83.7^[1]	–

* (g):Gas, (ao):Un-ionized aqueous solution

References

List of references

1
Janiel J. Reed (1989)
The NBS Tables of Chemical Thermodynamic Properties: Selected Values for Inorganic and C1 and C2 Organic Substances in SI Units
https://doi.org/10.18434/M32124
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
Citation list

Δ_rG	−200.70 kJ/mol
K	1.45 × 10³⁵
pK	−35.16

Δ_rG	−295.6 kJ/mol
K	6.12 × 10⁵¹
pK	−51.79

Δ_rG	−279.2 kJ/mol
K	8.20 × 10⁴⁸
pK	−48.91

Δ_rG	−278.3 kJ/mol
K	5.70 × 10⁴⁸
pK	−48.76

2HCN + H2O 💧⚡→ N2↑ + CO↑ + CH4↑

Reaction data

Chemical equation

General equation

Oxidation state of each atom

Reactants

Products

Thermodynamic changes

Changes in standard condition

Changes in aqueous solution (1)

Changes in aqueous solution (2)

Changes in aqueous solution (3)

Changes in aqueous solution (4)

Changes in aqueous solution (5)

Changes in aqueous solution (6)

Changes in aqueous solution (7)

Changes in aqueous solution (8)

Thermodynamic data of reactants

Thermodynamic data of products

References

List of references

Related reactions

Reactions with same reactants

Related categories

Type of reaction

General equation

Reactant

Product

2HCN + H₂O 💧⚡→ N₂↑ + CO↑ + CH₄↑