Definition

1. Noun:
   • An unstable acid that can be obtained by distilling a thiocyanate salt: Thiocyanic acid is a chemical compound with the formula HSCN. It is a weak, volatile, and unstable acid that exists in equilibrium with its isomer, isothiocyanic acid (HNCS).

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The laboratory synthesis involved the generation of thiocyanic acid.
  • Due to its instability, thiocyanic acid is often studied in solution or as a gaseous product.

Advanced Usage

• In chemical nomenclature: The term "thiocyanic acid" specifically refers to the H–S–C≡N structure, distinguishing it from its isomer.
  • The reaction mechanism depends on whether thiocyanic acid or isothiocyanic acid is the reactive species.

Variants and Related Words

• Thiocyanate (n): A salt or ester of thiocyanic acid, containing the SCN⁻ anion or -SCN group.
  • Potassium thiocyanate is a common source of the thiocyanate ion.
• Isothiocyanic acid (n): An isomer of thiocyanic acid with the formula HNCS.

Synonyms

• HSCN: The molecular formula for thiocyanic acid.
• Hydrogen thiocyanate: An alternative systematic name.

Related Phrases

• Thiocyanic acid derivative: A compound derived from or structurally related to thiocyanic acid.
  • The researcher synthesized a novel thiocyanic acid derivative for testing.

Noun

1. an unstable acid that can be obtained by distilling a thiocyanate salt