Is thiocyanate ion a test for ferric ion?

1 Answer
Feb 2, 2017

Thiocyanate ion is a test for the ferric ion, Fe3+.

Explanation:

Addition of sodium thiocyanate to ferric salts gives the blood-red complex, [Fe(N=C=S)(OH2)5]2+. I think the ligand binds thru the nitrogen.

And Co2+ gives a blue complex. This was in fact used as a screening test for the presence of cocaine (i.e. it is used in the field, because it gives a visual determination). Only problem is that such a test for coke is completely unreliable, and a lot of people were wrongly arrested on the basis of this test.