The conversion of cyanogen chloride to cyanide in the presence of blood proteins and sulphydryl compounds

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Abstract
CnCl reacts rapidly with hemoglobin and with glutathione, but not with methemoglobin. Addition of extra glutathione produces cyanide. While CNC1 reacts with cysteine and N-acetylcysteine, glutathione liberates cyanides from the latter but not the former. It is suggested that CNC1 reacts with neighboring -SH and -NH groups in hemoglobin, etc. and in the presence of more -SH, is then freed as HCN. It is suggested both hemoglobin and glutathione contribute to the production of cyanide in vivo.