Cyanonickelate

The cyanonickelates are a class of chemical compound containing anions consisting of nickel atoms, and cyanide groups.

The most important of these are the tetracyanonickelates containing four cyanide groups per nickel.

[1] In their crystals, the tetracyanonickelate(II) anions are often arranged in a columnar structure (e.g. in K2[Ni(CN)4][2]).

[3] In combination with alkyldiamines, and other metal ions, tetracyanonickelate ions can form cage structure that can accommodate organic molecules.

[4] If the cation is a very strong reducing agent, such as Yb2+, [Ni(CN)4]2− can be reduced to [Ni2(CN)6]4− where nickel atom is in the +1 oxidation state.