Thiocyanate ion (SCN⁻)
- Charge
- −1
- Atoms
- S, C, N
- Atoms in total
- 3
- Mass of the ion
- 58.078 g/mol
Thiocyanate is a chain of three atoms, sulfur, carbon and nitrogen, carrying a 1− charge. It is the cyanate ion with its oxygen swapped for sulfur, and since sulfur and oxygen are in the same group, the charge stays the same. In the lab it is famous for the blood-red color it gives with iron(III) ions, a quick test for Fe³⁺.
- The prefix thio- means a sulfur atom has taken the place of an oxygen atom, as in thiosulfate, S₂O₃²⁻.
- An older name, rhodanide, comes from the Greek word for rose, after the red color of its iron compound.
- Potassium thiocyanate, KSCN, is the usual reagent for the iron(III) test.