Potassium thiocyanate

Potassium thiocyanate is an inorganic potassium salt. Phase transitions in potassium thiocyanate (KSCN) have been investigated by X-ray diffraction studies. The order-disorder type transition with respect to the orientation of the thiocyanate ions was identified. Its polarized infrared spectrum has been reported. It participates in the ring-opening of aziridines. The reaction was carried out in the presence of sulfated zirconia to afford the corresponding β-aminothiocyanates.

Potassium thiocyanate (KSCN) may be used for the colorimetric quantification of intracellular iron content of the superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles.

Potassium thiocyanate may be used in the synthesis of the following:

• α-Amino nitriles from tertiary amines.
• Polysubstituted 2-aminothiazoles from vinyl azides.
• Benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one derivatives from o-bromobenzamides.
• Diaryl thioethers from aryl halides.