Dicyanamide, also known as dicyanamine, is an
anion having the
formulaC 2N− 3. It contains two
cyanide groups bound to a central nitrogen
anion. The chemical is formed by decomposition of
2-cyanoguanidine. It is used extensively as a counterion of organic and inorganic
salts, and also as a reactant for the synthesis of various covalent organic structures.
Dicyanimide was used as an anionic component in an
organic superconductor that was, when reported in 1990, a
superconductor with the highest
transition temperature in its structural class.[1]Dean Kenyon has examined the role of this chemical in reactions that can produce
peptides.[2] A co-worker then considered this reactive nature and examined the possible role dicyanamide may have had in primordial
biogenesis.[3]
References
^Kini, Aravinda M.; Geiser, Urs; Wang, Hau H.; Carlson, K. Douglas; Williams, Jack M.; Kwok, W. K.; Vandervoort, K. G.; Thompson, James E.; Stupka, Daniel L. (1990). "A new ambient-pressure organic superconductor, κ-(ET)2Cu[N(CN)2]Br, with the highest transition temperature yet observed (inductive onset Tc= 11.6 K, resistive onset = 12.5 K)". Inorganic Chemistry. 29 (14): 2555–2557.
doi:
10.1021/ic00339a004.
^Steinman, G.;
Kenyon, D. H.; Calvin, M. (1966). "The mechanism and protobiochemical relevance of dicyanamide-medicated peptide synthesis". Biochim Biophys Acta. 124 (2): 339–350.
doi:
10.1016/0304-4165(66)90197-8.
PMID5968904.