Zinc cyanide is a highly toxic compound that is used mainly for electroplating zinc and as a catalyst for the cyanosilylation of aldehydes and ketones. Moreover, it is also used to introduce the formyl group in organic synthesis. Zn(CN)2 is insoluble in most solvents. The solid dissolves in, or more precisely, is degraded by, aqueous solutions of basic ligands such as hydroxide, ammonia, and additional cyanide to give anionic complexes. .