Sodium formate was converted to sodium cyanide in high yields, usually better than 85%, by heating with two molecular proportions of sodium amide at 620° C. for 12 min. in a stainless steel bomb. A modified synthesis of sodium formate, from the carbon-14 sodium carbonate solution supplied commercially, is described, yield 95-97%.
![sodium bicarbonate, [14c] Structure](https://image.chemsrc.com/caspic/270/7279-86-9.png)
