Potassium Thiocyanate, 100g

Potassium thiocyanate appears as colorless, deliquescent crystals. It has a tendency to absorb moisture from the air, even to the point of forming an aqueous solution. Though not regulated for transport, precautions should be observed when handling this material. Harmful by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed. Contact with acids liberates very toxic gas. Avoid contact with eyes: Causes redness and pain.

Special Effects

Dilute aqueous KSCN can be used to create realistic blood effects. It can be painted onto a surface or kept as a colorless solution. In contact with ferric chloride solution, the reaction forms a thiocyanatoiron complex (Fe(SCN)3 ) with a blood red color. Thus potassium thiocyanate is commonly used to create the “Stigmata” effect. Because both solutions are colorless, they can be placed separately on each hand. When the hands are brought together, the solutions react and the effect looks remarkably like stigmata.

Laboratory

The reaction with Fe3+ mentioned above is used as a test for Fe3+ ions in the lab.