The Supposed trithiocyanate of iodine

Abstract

The preparation of "iodine trithiocyanate" and "iodine tricyanate" were reported, in 1938, by reaction of iodine monochloride with potassium thiocyanate and with potassium cyanate respectively. The properties given, in particular the lack of volatility and solubility and the stability to water are different from those normally observed in tervalent iodine compounds. This suggested polymerized compounds of the form [I(SCN)3,]n and [I(CNO)3]n. As the (SCN) group can act as a bridge, X-SCN-Y, it was thought polymerization might arise in this way. Similarly polymerization of iodine tricyanate may be possible through X-OCN-Y bridges. Work was undertaken to investigate the structures of these compounds.