What Is Thiocyanate?
Thiocyanate, with the chemical formula HSCN, is also known as sulfocyanate or rhodanic acid. Contrary to being a volatile liquid, thiocyanate compounds typically exist as colorless salts and are not strong acids. These compounds are formed by the thiocyanate ion, SCN-, and are generally stable at room temperature.
Thiocyanate can produce toxic cyanide compounds when heated or reacts with strong bases and oxidizers. One of the hazardous products of such reactions is hydrogen cyanide, also known as hydrocyanic acid.
Naturally, thiocyanate occurs in some plants like onions, and it is also found in various salts and esters.
Uses of Thiocyanate
While not commonly used in its free acid form, thiocyanate salts have various industrial and chemical applications.
For instance, Potassium thiocyanate is utilized in producing thiourea, dyes, pharmaceuticals, textile dyeing, and photographic chemicals. Due to its endothermic dissolution in water, it can also serve as a refrigerant.
In analytical chemistry, adding thiocyanate ions to a solution containing iron(III) ions forms a distinctive blood-red complex, useful for qualitative testing.