Potassium Thiocyanate

KSCN

IUPAC: Potassium thiocyanate

CAS: 333-20-0

Overview

Potassium thiocyanate is a colorless salt used as a reagent to detect iron(III) ions, producing a characteristic blood-red color.

Composition

Element Symbol Atoms Atomic Mass
Carbon C 1 12.0110
Nitrogen N 1 14.0070
Sulfur S 1 32.0600
Potassium K 1 39.0980

Elemental Composition

C
Carbon ×1
12.4%
N
Nitrogen ×1
14.4%
S
Sulfur ×1
33.0%
K
Potassium ×1
40.2%

Uses

  • • Iron(III) detection reagent
  • • Photography
  • • Textile printing
  • • Refrigeration brine

Fun Facts

  • ✦ The blood-red color with Fe³⁺ is one of the most dramatic reactions in chemistry demonstrations

Safety

  • ⚠ Toxic if ingested
  • ⚠ Releases toxic HCN with strong acid

Structure

SMILES

C(#N)[S-].[K+]

Properties

Type
salt
State
solid
Molar Mass
97.18 g/mol
Density
1.8860 g/cm³
Melting Point
173.2 °C
Boiling Point
500.0 °C
Solubility
2170 g/L at 20°C

Molecular Descriptors

Exact Mass
96.9389
TPSA
24.8 Ų
H-Bond Donors
0
H-Bond Acceptors
2
Rotatable Bonds
0
Heavy Atoms
4
Complexity
34.0

Related Compounds

Ammonium Bicarbonate

NH₄HCO₃

Ammonium Chloride

NH₄Cl

Ammonium Sulfate

(NH₄)₂SO₄

Barium Carbonate

BaCO₃

Barium Chloride

BaCl₂

Barium Sulfate

BaSO₄

Cadmium Sulfide

CdS

Calcium Acetate

Ca(C₂H₃O₂)₂

Calcium Carbonate

CaCO₃

Calcium Citrate

Ca₃(C₆H₅O₇)₂

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Potassium Thiocyanate?
Potassium Thiocyanate (KSCN) is a salt compound with the IUPAC name Potassium thiocyanate.
What is the molecular weight of Potassium Thiocyanate?
Potassium Thiocyanate has a molar mass of 97.18 g/mol.
What state is Potassium Thiocyanate at room temperature?
Potassium Thiocyanate is a solid at room temperature.
Is Potassium Thiocyanate organic or inorganic?
Potassium Thiocyanate is classified as an inorganic compound.
What elements make up Potassium Thiocyanate?
Potassium Thiocyanate (KSCN) is composed of Carbon (C), Nitrogen (N), Sulfur (S), Potassium (K).