Answer to Question #92016 in General Chemistry for jimbo

Question

Write the balanced chemical equation for the reaction of the weak acid HCN with water

Answer 1

Solution.

When interacting with water, hydrocyanic acid is decomposed:

$$HCN + 2H2O = HCOONH4$$

The product of this reaction is ammonium formate.

Also the product of the reaction can be formamide:

$$HCN + H2O = HCONH2$$

And there is another chemical reaction - the dissociation of hydrocyanic acid solution in water:

$$HCN + H2O = H3O^+ + CN^-$$

Answer:

$$HCN + 2H2O = HCOONH4$$

$$HCN + H2O = HCONH2$$

$$HCN + H2O = H3O^+ + CN^-$$