Potassium Cyanate – High-Purity Intermediate

Potassium Cyanate, with the chemical formula KOCN, is an odorless, white crystalline powder known for its strong nucleophilic and oxidative reactivity. As a potassium salt of isocyanic acid, it is a critical intermediate in organic and medicinal chemistry, used in the preparation of ureas, hydantoins, and carbamates.

Potassium cyanate is industrially synthesized via the oxidation of potassium cyanide or through a reaction of urea with potassium carbonate at high temperatures. It is thermally stable and water-soluble, making it ideal for use in metal surface treatments, heat-resistant resins, and non-toxic herbicide production.

Cavin Resource supplies industrial and pharmaceutical-grade Potassium Cyanate with global logistics, technical documentation (COA, SDS), and custom packaging solutions to meet B2B procurement standards across various industries.

⚙️ Production Method

High-Temperature Synthesis from Urea

• Urea is mixed with potassium carbonate and heated to 400–600°C.

• The result is high-purity potassium cyanate and CO₂ as a by-product.

• This method avoids the use of cyanide, making it more eco-friendly and scalable.

🏭 Applications & Industry Use Cases

🧪 Organic & Medicinal Chemistry

• Precursor in hydantoin and urea synthesis

• Used to prepare carbamate-based drugs

🔧 Metal Surface & Heat Treatment

• Acts as a quenching salt in heat treatment of metals

• Enhances corrosion resistance and metal hardness

🌱 Agrochemical Manufacturing

• Intermediate in low-toxicity herbicide formulations

🧬 Biochemical Research

• Used in enzyme studies and protein modification reactions

✅ Benefits of Potassium Cyanate

• ✅ Stable and easy-to-handle compared to cyanide salts

• ✅ Versatile intermediate for multiple chemical pathways

• ✅ Soluble in water and ethanol for flexible formulation

• ✅ Available in lab and industrial grades

• ✅ Supplied with regulatory and shipping compliance

📦 Packaging Options

• 25 kg HDPE drums or paper bags with liners

• 5 kg vacuum-sealed containers for lab use

• Custom packaging for bulk orders

• Includes SDS, COA, TDS, and HS Code labeling

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is Potassium Cyanate toxic?

Answer: It is significantly less toxic than potassium cyanide, but still requires proper PPE and ventilation during handling.

2. What grade do you supply – lab or industrial?

Answer: Cavin Resource supplies both grades based on application – pharmaceutical and industrial.

3. Is this product shipped internationally?

Answer: Yes, we offer worldwide shipping with all necessary regulatory and customs documentation.

4. How is Potassium Cyanate stored safely?

Answer: Store in a cool, dry, and sealed environment, away from acids and strong oxidizing agents.

📚 Credible Sources for SEO & Reference

• PubChem – Potassium Cyanate

• European Chemicals Agency – KOCN Safety Profile

• Royal Society of Chemistry – Reactions of Cyanates

• ScienceDirect – Cyanate Applications in Organic Synthesis