Sodium thiocyanate

	Email		Print
	Bookmark		Link

Sodium thiocyanate

Sodium thiocyanate is the chemical compoundChemical compound

A chemical compound is a chemical substance consisting of two or more different chemically bonded chemical elements, with a ...
with the formula NaSCN. This colourless deliquescent salt is one of the main sources of the thiocyanateThiocyanate

Thiocyanate is both an anion, [SCN]-, and, in organic chemistry, a functional group, RSCN....
anion. As such, it is used as a precursor for the synthesisOrganic synthesis

Organic synthesis is the construction of organic molecules via chemical processes....
of pharmaceuticals and other specialty chemicals. Thiocyanate salts are typically prepared by the reaction of cyanideCyanide

A cyanide is any chemical compound that contains the cyano group -C=N, with the carbon atom triple-bonded to the nitro...
with elemental sulfurSulfur

Sulfur or sulphur is the chemical element in the periodic table that has the symbol S and atomic number 16....
:

NaCN + 1/8 S8 → NaSCN

NaSCN crystallises in an orthorhombic cell. Each Na⁺ center is surrounded by three sulfur and three nitrogen ligands provided by the triatomic thiocyanate anion.
Applications in chemical synthesisNaSCN is employed to convert alkylAlkyl

An alkyl is a univalent radical containing only carbon and hydrogen atoms arranged in a chain....
halideHalide

A halide is a binary compound, of which one part is a halogen atom and the other part is an element or radical that is less...
s into the corresponding alkylthiocyanates. Closely related reagents include ammonium thiocyanate and potassium thiocyanatePotassium thiocyanate

See: ThiocyanatePotassium thiocyanate is the chemical compound KSCN....
, which has twice the solubility in water.

Discussion

Ask a question about 'Sodium thiocyanate'

Start a new discussion about 'Sodium thiocyanate'

Answer questions from other users

Full Discussion Forum

Applications in chemical synthesis

NaSCN is employed to convert alkylAlkyl

An alkyl is a univalent radical containing only carbon and hydrogen atoms arranged in a chain....
halideHalide

A halide is a binary compound, of which one part is a halogen atom and the other part is an element or radical that is less...
s into the corresponding alkylthiocyanates. Closely related reagents include ammonium thiocyanate and potassium thiocyanatePotassium thiocyanate

See: ThiocyanatePotassium thiocyanate is the chemical compound KSCN....
, which has twice the solubility in water. Silver thiocyanate may be used as well; the precipitation of insoluble silver halides help simplify workupWorkup

Workup may refer to:*Workup - Additional reactions carried out after the main chemical reaction to obtain the desired product...
. Treatment of isopropyl bromide2-Bromopropane

2-Bromopropane, also known as isopropyl bromide is the halogenated hydrocarbon with the formula CH3CHBrCH3....
with NaSCN in hot ethanolic solution affords isopropyl thiocyanate. Protonation of NaSCN affords isothiocyanic acid, S=C=NH (pK_a = -1.28). This species is generated in situ from NaSCN; it adds to organic amineAmine

Amines are organic compounds and a type of functional group that contain nitrogen as the key atom....
s to afford derivatives of thioureaThiourea Overview

Thiourea is an organic compound of carbon, nitrogen, sulfur and hydrogen, with the formula CSN2H4 or2CS....
.