Cyanide, per definition of the nomenclature, is an
ion, i.e. CN-. That is the toxic species that inhibits the respiratory chain and, by the way, which is as toxic agents in the US' gas chambers nowadays (and in German gas chambers during 1933-45, too).
The CN in 2C-CN is bound
covalently and for this reason should be called "nitrile", not "cyanide" (this naming is often confused).
The difference is that the former one is an independend molecule, able to reach its target (...CYPs of the respiratory chain), while the latter will stick to the ring until it gets metabolized. I have no idea at the moment what the metabolism for 2C-CN in particular is (if it was ever studied), but usual pathways go e.g.
-CN + water to -CONH2 (by nitrile hydratase)
...followed by -CONH2 + water to -COOH + NH3(by amidase)
-CN + water to -COOH & NH3 (by nitrilase)
-CN + water to -CH=N-OH (by aldoxime dehydratases)
None of these liberates cyanide at any stage.
There
may be exceptions, but in general are aromatic nitriles not extraordinarily toxic.
Peace! -
Murphy