What is the chemical name for KCN?

The chemical name for KCN is potassium cyanide. This compound consists of two parts: potassium (K) and cyanide (CN). In naming ionic compounds, the cation (the positively charged ion) is named first, followed by the anion (the negatively charged ion). Here, potassium is the cation, derived from the element potassium, while cyanide is the anion, which is a polyatomic ion consisting of a carbon atom triple bonded to a nitrogen atom.

The nomenclature reflects this structure, clearly indicating the constituents of the compound. In contrast, the other options refer to different compounds, with potassium sulfate being K2SO4, sodium chloride being NaCl, and potassium oxide being K2O. None of these share the same composition as KCN, confirming that the only appropriate name for KCN is potassium cyanide.