What is "dicyanamide"

n. (context inorganic chemistry English) The anion N(CN)₂^- or any salt containing this anion; especially the sodium salt which is an explosive sometimes used in vehicle airbags

Dicyanamide is also known as dicyanamine. The dicyanimide ion is a chemical having the formula CN. 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. Dean Kenyon has examined the role of this chemical in reactions that can produce peptides. A co-worker then considered this reactive nature and examined the possible role dicyanamide may have had in primordial biogenesis.