Thiocyanate
Thiocyanate is both an anion, [SCN]-, and, in organic chemistry, a
functional group, RSCN.
Compounds containing the thiocyanate anion include
sodium thiocyanate ,
potassium thiocyanate , and mercury thiocyanate .
Thiocyanate is analogous to the cyanate ion, [OCN]-, wherein
oxygen is replaced by
sulfur. [SCN]- is one of the pseudohalogens, due to the similarity of its reactions to that of halide ions. Thiocyanate was formerly known as rhodanide because of the red colour of its complexes with
iron. Thiocyanates are typically colorless.
Encyclopedia
Thiocyanate is both an anion, [SCN]
-, and, in organic chemistry, a
functional group, RSCN.
Compounds containing the thiocyanate anion include
sodium thiocyanate ,
potassium thiocyanate , and mercury thiocyanate .
Thiocyanate is analogous to the cyanate ion, [OCN]
-, wherein
oxygen is replaced by
sulfur. [SCN]
- is one of the pseudohalogens, due to the similarity of its reactions to that of halide ions. Thiocyanate was formerly known as rhodanide because of the red colour of its complexes with
iron. Thiocyanates are typically colorless.
Organic and transition metal derivatives of the thiocyanate ion can exist as linkage isomers.
In thiocyanates, the organic group or metal is attached to sulfur: R-S-C=N has a S-C single bond and a C-N triple bond.
In
isothiocyanates, the substituent is attached to nitrogen: R-N=C=S has a S-C double bond and a C-N double bond
Thiocyanate is produced by the reaction of elemental sulfur with cyanide:
8CN
- + S
8 ? 8SCN
-In some organisms
cyanide is detoxified by this conversion as catalyzed by the enzyme sulfotransferase known as rhodanese.
Guy, R. G. "Syntheses and Preparative Applications of Thiocyanates" in "Chemistry of Cyanates and Their Derivatives," vol II. Patai, S., , John Wiley, 1977. New York
Test for Iron
If [SCN]
- is added to a solution containing iron ions , a blood red solution is formed due to the presence of the [Fe
5]
2+.
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