In fact, the initial target product sodium cyanide can also be obtained from calcium cyanamide by melting it with sodium chloride in the presence of carbon:[8] Frank and Caro developed this reaction for a large-scale, continuous production process.

The advantage of this reaction temperature (lower by about 400 °C), however, must be weighed against the large amount of calcium chloride required and the discontinuous process control.

Between 1908 and 1919, five calcium cyanamide plants with a total capacity of 500,000 tonnes per year were set up in Germany, and one in Switzerland.

20%), cheaper, and faster acting, the role of calcium cyanamide was gradually reduced to a multifunctional nitrogen fertilizer for niche applications.

Other reasons for its loss of popularity were its dirty-black color, dusty appearance and irritating properties, as well as its inhibition of an alcohol-degrading enzyme which causes temporary accumulation of acetaldehyde in the body leading to dizziness, nausea, and alcohol flush reaction when alcohol is consumed around the time of bodily exposure.

Thiourea can be produced by the reaction of hydrogen sulfide with calcium cyanamide in the presence of carbon dioxide.