Isothiocyanates / thiocyanates
They all are a class of organosulfur compounds. Thiocyanates or isothiocyanates are analogues of cyanates or isocyanates wherein oxygen is replaced by sulfur. Isothiocyanates are generally prepared by the reaction of a primary amine and carbon disulfide in aqueous ammonia to form solid ammonium dithiocarbamate salt, which is then treated with lead nitrate or tosyl chloride to yield the corresponding isothiocyanate. Reflecting their electrophilic character, isothiocyanates are susceptible to hydrolysis. They occur widely in nature and are of interest in food science and medical research. Thiocyanates are produced by the reaction of elemental sulfur or thiosulfate with cyanides. They both are used as ligands in coordination chemistry, thiocyanate being more common.
