A grade-specific Safety Data Sheet (SDS) — with the complete hazard classification, handling precautions, and transport information — is supplied with every shipment and available on request. Confirm all safety and regulatory details against the SDS for your specific grade.
Request SDS →Sodium thiocyanate (NaSCN, CAS 540-72-7) is a white, highly water-soluble crystalline salt and the most common industrial source of the thiocyanate (SCN–) anion. Its strong solvency for polyacrylonitrile makes it a spinning solvent in acrylic-fiber manufacture, and the reactive SCN– ion makes it a versatile synthesis intermediate for thiocyanate, isothiocyanate and thiourea derivatives. It is also used as a concrete set accelerator component, an analytical reagent and a process chemical. Identity: PubChem.
What is sodium thiocyanate?
Sodium thiocyanate is the sodium salt of thiocyanic acid. It is deliquescent, dissolves readily in water (and in some polar organics), and supplies the SCN– anion — a soft, polarizable nucleophile that participates in a wide range of substitutions and complexations. Concentrated aqueous NaSCN is also a powerful solvent for certain polymers, notably polyacrylonitrile. It should be kept away from acids and strong oxidizers, which can release toxic gases.
Applications by sector
Acrylic fiber & textiles. Concentrated aqueous sodium thiocyanate is a spinning solvent for polyacrylonitrile (PAN), dissolving the polymer for wet- and dry-spinning of acrylic fibers. Chemical synthesis. It is a building-block source of SCN– for making organic thiocyanates, isothiocyanates, thiourea and heterocyclic intermediates, and for metal-thiocyanate complexes. Construction. It is used as a component in set-accelerating and antifreeze admixtures for concrete. Other industrial use. It serves as an analytical reagent (iron determination), in photographic and electroplating processes, and as a process and stabilizer chemical. Match the grade and form to your process.
Grades and forms
Sodium thiocyanate is supplied as a solid (crystal or powder) and as an aqueous solution at a stated concentration; acrylic-fiber spinning typically uses solution grades. Specify solid versus solution, the concentration and the purity on the RFQ; assay and impurity limits are documented on the CoA.
Handling and documentation
Sodium thiocyanate is harmful if swallowed and is incompatible with acids and strong oxidizers, which can release toxic gases — do not mix with acids, and store and handle per the Safety Data Sheet (SDS). Each lot ships with a Certificate of Analysis (CoA). Hazard, exposure and handling details are sourced from the SDS, not reproduced here.
Bulk supply and RFQ
RawSource supplies sodium thiocyanate — solid or solution — in bulk to fiber, chemical-synthesis, construction and industrial buyers, with CoA and SDS per lot. Submit an RFQ with your form (solid/solution), concentration, target quantity and ship-to for a current quote.
Typical Properties
Typical reference values, not a specification; the Certificate of Analysis (CoA) for the lot governs.
| Property | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Chemical Name | Sodium thiocyanate (NaSCN) |
| CAS Number | 540-72-7 |
| Molecular Formula | NaSCN (CNNaS) |
| Appearance | White deliquescent crystals/powder, or aqueous solution |
| Solubility | Very soluble in water |
| Anion supplied | Thiocyanate, SCN– |
| Forms | Solid (crystal/powder) or aqueous solution at stated concentration |
| Incompatibilities / handling | Keep from acids & oxidizers; refer to the current SDS |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is sodium thiocyanate used for?
Sodium thiocyanate (NaSCN, CAS 540-72-7) is used as a spinning solvent for polyacrylonitrile in acrylic-fiber manufacture, a synthesis intermediate and source of the thiocyanate anion, a concrete set-accelerator component, and an analytical and process reagent.
Is sodium thiocyanate soluble in water?
Yes — it is highly soluble (and deliquescent). Concentrated aqueous solutions are strong enough to dissolve polyacrylonitrile, which is the basis of its use as an acrylic-fiber spinning solvent.
What is the formula and CAS of sodium thiocyanate?
Sodium thiocyanate is NaSCN (CNNaS), CAS 540-72-7 (PubChem CID 516871). The CoA documents assay and grade for each lot.
Is sodium thiocyanate hazardous?
It is harmful if swallowed and is incompatible with acids and strong oxidizers, which can release toxic gases. Do not mix with acids; handle, store and dispose of it per the current SDS and your jurisdiction.
How is bulk sodium thiocyanate supplied and quoted?
RawSource supplies it as a solid or an aqueous solution in bulk, with CoA and SDS per lot. Pricing is quote-based on form, concentration, grade and volume; submit an RFQ with your target quantity and ship-to.
Disclaimer. Information on this page — including chemical properties, identifiers, hazard, transport (DOT/UN) and tariff (HS) classifications, and applications — is provided for general reference and is compiled from authoritative public sources (e.g. PubChem). Values are typical and are not a guaranteed specification; the Certificate of Analysis (CoA) for the lot you purchase governs. Products are sold for industrial and professional use only. Nothing here is a medical, health, or efficacy claim, or advice. Always consult the current Safety Data Sheet (SDS) before handling, storage, transport or disposal, and confirm regulatory status, classification and suitability for your application and jurisdiction. Hazard, transport and tariff classifications must be verified for your specific shipment. RawSource makes no warranty, express or implied, and assumes no liability for use of this information.