Potassium cyanate

Potassium cyanate
Identifiers
CAS number	590-28-3 Y
PubChem	11378442
EC number	209-676-3
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
Y (what is this?)  (verify) Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa)
Infobox references

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]

Uses

The product is used as a basic raw material for various organic syntheses, for example, urea derivatives, semicarbazides, carbamates and isocyanates. It is also used for the heat treatment of metals.^[2]

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.

Safety

It may cause eye irritation, redness and pain.

References

External links

• MSDS
• MSDS at jtbaker.com

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