Potassium selenocyanate

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

The Uses of Potassium selenocyanate

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.

The Uses of Potassium selenocyanate

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.

What are the applications of 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.

Purification Methods

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