ammonium thiocyanate

n.
A colorless, crystalline compound, NH₄SCN, used in dyeing fabric, electroplating, and in making melamine.

A colourless, soluble crystalline compound, NH₄NCS. It is made by the action of hydrogen cyanide on ammonium sulphide or from ammonia and carbon disulphide in ethanol. On heating, it turns into its isomer thiourea, SC(NH₂)₂. Its solutions give a characteristic blood-red colour with iron(III) compounds and so are employed as a test for ferric iron. Ammonium thiocyanate is used as a rapid fixative in photography and as an ingredient in making explosives.

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