Potassium selenocyanate Property

Melting point:

147 °C

Density 

2.347

storage temp. 

Inert atmosphere,Room Temperature

form 

Crystalline Solid, Powder, Crystals and/or Chunks

color 

White to off-white

Specific Gravity

2.347

Water Solubility 

Soluble in water, ethanol, dimethyl formamide, hexamethylphosphoramide, acetonitrile and methanol. Slightly soluble in terahydrofuran.

Sensitive 

Moisture Sensitive

BRN 

3912121

Exposure limits

ACGIH: TWA 0.2 mg/m3
NIOSH: IDLH 1 mg/m3; TWA 0.2 mg/m3

InChI

InChI=1S/CHNSe.K/c2-1-3;/h3H;/q;+1/p-1

InChIKey

KYEKHFSRAXRJBR-UHFFFAOYSA-M

SMILES

C(#N)[Se][K]

CAS DataBase Reference

3425-46-5(CAS DataBase Reference)

EPA Substance Registry System

Selenocyanic acid, potassium salt (3425-46-5)

Safety

Hazard Codes 

T,N,T+

Risk Statements 

23/25-33-50/53-28-23

Safety Statements 

20/21-28-45-60-61-36/37

RIDADR 

UN 3283 6.1/PG 2

WGK Germany 

3

RTECS 

VT1400000

TSCA 

Yes

HazardClass 

6.1

PackingGroup 

II

HS Code 

28429090

Toxicity

guinea pig,LD50,skin,50mg/kg (50mg/kg),SKIN AND APPENDAGES (SKIN): "DERMATITIS, OTHER: AFTER SYSTEMIC EXPOSURE",National Technical Information Service. Vol. OTS0536978,

Hazard and Precautionary Statements (GHS)

Symbol(GHS)

Signal word

Danger

Hazard statements

H300Fatal if swallowed

H331Toxic if inhaled

H373May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure

H410Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects

Precautionary statements

P260Do not breathe dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray.

P264Wash hands thoroughly after handling.

P264Wash skin thouroughly after handling.

P273Avoid release to the environment.

P301+P310IF SWALLOWED: Immediately call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician.

P314Get medical advice/attention if you feel unwell.

Potassium selenocyanate Chemical Properties,Usage,Production

Description

Potassium selenocyanate, a crystalline solid, is a reagent for the conversion of alkyl halides to nitriles and for the production of pharmaceutical intermediates. It is also used in the field of energy storage devices.

Chemical Properties

white to light beige crystalline powder or needles

Uses

Potassium selenocyanate is used to prepare triphenylphosphine selenide by reacting with triphenylphosphine. It finds application in solid state NMR of heavy-metal nuclei which results in the preparation of several mercury thiocyanate and selenocyanate compounds.

Uses

Increasing interest in solid state NMR of heavy-metal nuclei results in the preparation of several Hg-thiocyanate and selenocyanate compounds as potential models. Bowmaker, G.A. et al. Inorg. Chem. 1998, 37, 1734.

Application

Potassium selenocyanate can be used to:
(1) Redox-active electrolyte to enhance the performance of carbon-based supercapacitors.
(2) Starting material for the one-pot stereoselective synthesis of alkyl styryl selenides.
(3) Precursor to synthesize Cu and Ni complexes with antioxidant/anti-inflammatory activities.
(4) Selenylating agent to prepare stereoselective selenoglycosides and selenium-linked disaccharides.

Safety Profile

Poison by intraperitoneal route. When heated to decomposition it emits very toxic fumes of NOx, CN-, K2O, and Se. See also SELENIUM COMPOUNDS and CYANATES.

storage

Crystalline KSeCN is hygroscopic and decomposes with the elimination of selenium upon prolonged exposure to air. It should be stored in sealed containers. Potassium selenocyanate is a malodorous and highly toxic compound. All reactions and handling should be carried out in a well-ventilated hood.

Purification Methods

Dissolve it in acetone, filter and precipitate it by adding Et2O.