Potassium selenocyanate explained

Potassium selenocyanate is the inorganic compound with the formula KSeCN. It is a hygroscopic white solid that is soluble in water, decomposing in air to red selenium and potassium cyanide. The compound has been characterized by X-ray crystallography, which confirms that it is a salt. The C-N and C-Se distances are 112 and 183 pm, respectively consistent with triple and single bonds.^[1]

Synthesis and reactions

Potassium selenocyanate is produced by the reaction of molten potassium cyanide with elemental selenium.

Organic selenocyanates are often prepared by treatment of potassium selenocyanate with alkyl halides or aryl diazonium salts.^[2]

Potassium selenocyanate serves as a source of Se⁰, e.g., in its reaction with triphenylphosphine to give triphenylphosphine selenide.^[3]

References

1. Swank . Duane D. . Willett . Roger D. . 1965 . The Crystal Structure of Potassium Selenocyanate . Inorganic Chemistry . 4 . 499–501 . 10.1021/ic50026a013 .
2. Book: Cyanates and Their Thio Derivatives: Part 2, Volume 2 . Saul Patai. 1977. Selenocyanates and Related Compounds . E. Bulka. 10.1002/9780470771532.ch3. PATAI'S Chemistry of Functional Groups. 619-818.
3. Nicpon . Philip . Meek . Devon W. . 1967 . Triphenylphosphine Selenide . Inorganic Syntheses . 10 . 157–159 . 10.1002/9780470132418.ch23 .