* KCN is potassium cyanide, a salt formed from the reaction of a strong base (KOH, potassium hydroxide) and a weak acid (HCN, hydrocyanic acid).

* Hydrolysis: When KCN dissolves in water, it undergoes hydrolysis. The cyanide ion (CN-) reacts with water, accepting a proton (H+) and forming hydrocyanic acid (HCN). This leaves behind hydroxide ions (OH-) in the solution, making the solution basic.

The reaction:

CN- (aq) + H2O (l) ⇌ HCN (aq) + OH- (aq)

The presence of hydroxide ions (OH-) indicates that the solution is basic.