Organic thiocyanates

[2] Several synthesis routes exist,[3] the most common being the reaction between alkyl halides and alkali thiocyanate in aqueous media.

"SN1-type" substrates (e.g., benzyl halides) tend to give the isothiocyanate derivatives.

Sulfenyl thiosulfates (RSSO3−) react with alkali metal cyanides to give thiocyanates with displacement of sulfite.

Aryl thiocyanates are traditionally produced by the Sandmeyer reaction, which involves combining copper(I) thiocyanate and diazonium salts:[3] Some arylthiocyanates can also often be obtained by thiocyanogenation, i.e. the reaction of thiocyanogen.

In both organic thiocyanate and isothiocyanate isomers the SCN angle approaches 180°.