The reactions of haems with cyanides and isocyanides

Abstract

KCN gives monocyan- and dicyanhaems. Methyl isocyanide (CH3NC) gives mono- and dicarbylhaem compounds while methyl cyanide (CH3CN) does not react. CH3NC combines only with haem and hemoglobin and not with hematin and methhemoglobin, both of which form compounds with the cyanide ion. CH3CN does not react with any of the hematin compounds studied.