| Description | Thiocyanate is analogous to the cyanate ion, [OCN]-, wherein oxygen is replaced by sulfur. [SCN]- is one of the pseudohalogens, due to the similarity of its reactions to that of halide ions. Thiocyanate was formerly known as rhodanide (from a Greek word for rose) because of the red color of its complexes with iron. Thiocyanates are typically colorless. Cyanide ions can react with cystine to yield thicocyanate. This reaction occurs to a slight extent even in neutral solution, but is more pronounced in alkaline solutions of cystine. In addition to this non-enzymatic route, cyanide produced in vivo can be converted in part to thiocyanate by sulfur transferase systems. The thiocyanate ion can be oxidized at acid pH by hydrogen peroxide to generate sulfate and cyanide. The reaction is catalyzed by hemoglobin acting as a peroxidase. Thiocyanate is analogous to the cyanate ion, [OCN]-, wherein oxygen is replaced by sulfur. [SCN]- is one of the pseudohalogens, due to the similarity of its reactions to that of halide ions. Thiocyanate was formerly known as rhodanide (from a Greek word for rose) because of the red color of its complexes with iron. Thiocyanates are typically colorless. Cyanide ions can react with cystine to yield thicocyanate. This reaction occurs to a slight extent even in neutral solution, but is more pronounced in alkaline solutions of cystine. In addition to this non-enzymatic route, cyanide produced in vivo can be converted in part to thiocyanate by sulfur transferase systems. The thiocyanate ion can be oxidized at acid pH by hydrogen peroxide to generate sulfate and cyanide. The reaction is catalyzed by hemoglobin acting as a peroxidase. A study shows that thiocyanate has a protective effect in lung in cystic fibrosis, and an anti-inflammatory effect in arterial endothelial cells, a neuronal cell line, and a pancreatic beta cell line (PMID: 19918082 ). Thiocyanate has been identified as a uremic toxin according to the European Uremic Toxin Working Group (PMID: 22626821 ). |
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