Question

Have I balanced this equation correctly

CN + NaOCL---OCN + NaCl

Answer 1

Not quite. CN is a polyatomic ion, so lets attach it to something, Na for instance. It could be anything (the time I had to get rid of a can of cyanide, it was KCN).


NaCN + NaOCl >> NaCl + NaCNO as the first stage, then the second reaction

NaCNO+NaOCl+H2O >>N2 + NaHCO3 + NaCl

I need to give a warning, during the first stage, it is IMPERATIVE to control pH, in an acid pH, CN gas will be emitted. So pH must be kept alkaline. I did this by adding small amounts of NaOH.

Now your question: yes, if you have only done the first stage, and you need to indicate ions CN^-1 , OCl^-1

Answer 2

Ooops, ion OCN^-1