| Description |
Methyl thiocyanate, also known as ch3scn or mescn, is a member of the class of compounds known as thiocyanates. Thiocyanates are salts or esters of thiocyanic acid, with the general formula RSC#N (R=alkyl, aryl). Methyl thiocyanate is a sulfur tasting compound found in papaya, which makes methyl thiocyanate a potential biomarker for the consumption of this food product. Methyl thiocyanate is a non-carcinogenic (not listed by IARC) potentially toxic compound. Methyl thiocyanate is an organic compound with the formula CH3SCN. It is a colourless liquid with an onion-like odor. It is produced by the methylation of thiocyanate salts. The compound is a precursor to the more useful isomer methyl isothiocyanate (CH3NCS) . Antidotes to cyanide poisoning include hydroxocobalamin and sodium nitrite, which release the cyanide from the cytochrome system, and rhodanase, which is an enzyme occurring naturally in mammals that combines serum cyanide with thiosulfate, producing comparatively harmless thiocyanate. Oxygen therapy can also be administered (L97) (T3DB). |
