KnowHOW team explains: The common idea that potassium cyanide causes instant death is a huge myth. What actually happens after one consumes the poison is that one becomes unconscious immediately and then dies 10-15 minutes later. fter entering the body through the mouth potassium cyanide reacts with ... What is Potassium Cyanide? Potassium cyanide is a form of cyanide salt which contains equal numbers of potassium cations (K+) and cyanide anions (CN-). Potassium cyanide is also called cyanide of potassium or cyanopotassium. The chemical formula of Potassium cyanide is KCN. Potassium cyanide is a highly toxic inorganic compound with the chemical formula KCN. It is a salt composed of the potassium cation (K⁺) and the cyanide anion (CN⁻). Structurally, it forms a crystalline solid similar to sodium chloride. The cyanide ion itself has a linear structure, with a triple bond between the carbon and nitrogen atoms (C≡N⁻). Approved by Dr. Thomas Dwan - Potassium cyanide is a highly toxic compound that can cause severe health issues, including death, upon exposure. Its mechanism of action disrupts cellular respiration, leading to symptoms like confusion, nausea, seizures, and cardiac arrest.