1. A colorless, toxic gas (CN)₂ composed of carbon and nitrogen, used in chemical synthesis and as a fumigant.
Usage: chemistry; technical

Examples

• Cyanogen is a highly poisonous gas that must be handled with extreme care in the laboratory.
• The chemical formula for cyanogen is (CN)₂, indicating two carbon-nitrogen units bonded together.
• Cyanogen was historically used as a fumigant, though safer alternatives are now preferred.
• When cyanogen burns, it produces a bright blue flame.
• The synthesis of certain organic compounds requires cyanogen as a reagent.