Potassium cyanate
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| Potassium cyanate | |
|---|---|
| Identifiers | |
| CAS number | [] |
| PubChem | |
| EC number | |
| RTECS number | GS6825000 |
| Properties | |
| Molecular formula | KOCN |
| Molar mass | 81.1151 g/mol |
| Appearance | white powder |
| Density | 2.056 g/cm3 |
| Melting point |
315 °C |
| Boiling point |
~ 700°C, decomp. |
| Solubility in water | 75 g/100 ml |
| Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) Infobox references |
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Potassium cyanate is an inorganic compound with the formula KOCN. It is the conjugate base of cyanic acid, HOCN. This reagent is used to prepare herbicide. Worldwide production of the potassium and sodium salts was 20 Mkg in 2006.[1]
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[edit] Uses
The product is used as a basic raw material for various organic syntheses, for example, urea derivatives, semicarbazides, carbamates and isocyanates. It is is also used for the heat treatment of metals.[2]
[edit] Preparation
KOCN is prepared by urea with potassium carbonate at 400 °C:
- 2 OC(NH2)2 + K2CO3 → 2 KOCN + (NH4)2CO3
The reaction produces a liquid. Intermediates and impurities include biuret, cyanuric acid, and potassium allophanate (KO2CNHC(O)NH2), as well as unreacted starting urea, but these species are unstable at 400 °C.[1]
Potassium cyanate is often preferred to the sodium salt which is less soluble in water.
[edit] Safety
It may cause eye irritation, redness and pain.
[edit] References
- ^ a b Peter M. Schalke1, "Cyanates, Inorganic Salts" Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry2006, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim. doi:10.1002/14356007.a08_157.pub2. Article Online Posting Date: July 15, 2006
- ^ INEOS Paraform GmbH, Potassium Cyanate (KOCN) product information. Online version accessed on 2009-06-30.
[edit] External links
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