Lithium cyanide

Lithium cyanide is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula LiCN. It is a toxic, white coloured, hygroscopic, water-soluble salt that finds only niche uses.

Preparation
LiCN is produced from the reaction of lithium hydroxide and hydrogen cyanide. A laboratory-scale preparation uses acetone cyanohydrin as a surrogate for HCN:
 * (CH3)2C(OH)CN +  LiH   →  (CH3)2CO  +  LiCN  +  H2

Uses
The compound decomposes to cyanamide and carbon when heated to a temperature close to but below 600 °C. Acids react to give hydrogen cyanide.

Lithium cyanide can be used as a reagent for organic compound cyanation.
 * RX +  LiCN  →   RCN  +  LiX