Is cyanogen bromide dangerous?

Yes, it is highly toxic, volatile, and a severe lachrymator (tear gas). It must be used with extreme caution in controlled laboratory environments.

In what field is cyanogen bromide primarily used?

It is primarily used in biochemistry and molecular biology for protein sequencing and peptide mapping by cleaving proteins at methionine residues.

Can cyanogen bromide be used outside a laboratory?

No, it has no safe or common applications outside specific scientific research and analytical procedures due to its high toxicity and hazardous nature.

What does the 'bromide' part of the name indicate?

It indicates the compound is a bromide salt, containing the bromine anion (Br⁻), combined with the cyanogen cation (CN⁺).

cyanogen bromide

Very Low

UK/ˌsaɪ.ə.nəʊ.dʒən ˈbrəʊ.maɪd/US/ˌsaɪ.ə.noʊ.dʒən ˈbroʊ.maɪd/

Technical/Scientific

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Definition

Meaning

A toxic, volatile chemical compound with the formula CNBr, used as a reagent in molecular biology for modifying proteins and nucleic acids.

A chemical compound that serves as a powerful electrophilic reagent for introducing cyano groups or for cleaving peptide bonds under specific conditions.

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

This is a highly technical term used almost exclusively in chemistry, biochemistry, and molecular biology. It refers to a specific reagent with defined properties and applications.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant lexical differences. Standard spelling 'bromide' is used in both. The term is used identically in scientific contexts.

Connotations

Conveys strictly technical/scientific precision in both varieties.

Frequency

Extremely low frequency in general language but standard within its specific scientific field in both regions.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

Cleave with cyanogen bromideTreatment with cyanogen bromideCyanogen bromide cleavageCyanogen bromide activation

medium

Prepare a solution of cyanogen bromideHandle cyanogen bromide carefullyThe reaction of cyanogen bromide

weak

Toxic cyanogen bromideChemical cyanogen bromideReagent cyanogen bromide

Grammar

Valency Patterns

The protein was cleaved with cyanogen bromide.Cyanogen bromide cleaves at methionine residues.Activation was performed using cyanogen bromide.

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Neutral

CNBr

Weak

Bromine cyanide

Usage

Context Usage

Academic

Used in scientific research papers, laboratory protocols, and biochemistry textbooks.

Everyday

Never used in everyday conversation.

Technical

Specific to laboratory procedures in protein chemistry and peptide synthesis.

Examples

By Part of Speech

adjective

British English

The cyanogen bromide method is standard.
A cyanogen bromide cleavage site.

American English

The cyanogen bromide procedure is common.
A cyanogen bromide treatment step.

Examples

By CEFR Level

Cyanogen bromide is a dangerous chemical used in labs.
Scientists sometimes use cyanogen bromide to study proteins.

The peptide was selectively cleaved at its methionine residue using cyanogen bromide.
Due to its high toxicity, cyanogen bromide must be handled in a fume cupboard.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Imagine a CYAnide group (C≡N) attached to a BROMINE atom, forming a bromide salt: CYANOgen BROMIDE.

Conceptual Metaphor

A molecular 'scissors' that cuts protein chains at specific points (methionine residues).

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

Avoid translating 'cyanogen' as 'цианоген' without context; the full compound name is 'бромистый циан' or 'цианбромид'.
Do not confuse 'bromide' (chemical salt) with the common word 'bromide' meaning a platitude.

Common Mistakes

Misspelling as 'cyanogen bromine' (element vs. compound).
Incorrect pronunciation of 'cyanogen' as /saɪˈæn.ə.dʒən/.

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

In the classic protein sequencing method, the protein is first cleaved specifically at methionine residues using .

Multiple Choice

What is the primary technical use of cyanogen bromide?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: Yes, it is highly toxic, volatile, and a severe lachrymator (tear gas). It must be used with extreme caution in controlled laboratory environments.
: It is primarily used in biochemistry and molecular biology for protein sequencing and peptide mapping by cleaving proteins at methionine residues.
: No, it has no safe or common applications outside specific scientific research and analytical procedures due to its high toxicity and hazardous nature.
: It indicates the compound is a bromide salt, containing the bromine anion (Br⁻), combined with the cyanogen cation (CN⁺).