Thiocyanate is analogous to the cyanate ion [OCN], wherein oxygen is replaced by sulfur.

Ambidentate ligands can attach to the central atom in two places.

Thiocyanate [SCN] can attach at either the sulfur atom or the nitrogen atom. Such compounds give rise to linkage isomerism.

Thiocyanate is known to be an important part in the biosynthesis of hypothiocyanite by a lactoperoxidase.

The complete absence of thiocyanate or reduced thiocyanate in the human body, (cystic fibrosis) is damaging to the human host defense system.

Thiocyanate shares its negative charge approximately equally between sulfur and nitrogen.

As a consequence, thiocyanate can act as a nucleophile at either sulfur or nitrogen, it is an ambidentate ligand.

cyanide is a chemical compound that contains the group C≡N. This group, known as the cyano group, consists of a carbon atom triple-bonded to a nitrogen atom.

Hydrogen cyanide is produced by the combustion or pyrolysis of certain materials under oxygen-deficient conditions.

Hydrogen cyanide can be detected in the exhaust of internal combustion engines and tobacco smoke.

nitrile is any organic compound that has a C≡N functional group. The prefix cyano- is used interchangeably with the term nitrile in industrial literature.

Nitriles are found in many useful compounds, including methyl cyanoacrylate, used in super glue, and nitrile rubber.

Inorganic compounds containing the C≡N group are not called nitriles, but cyanides instead. Though both nitriles and cyanides can be derived from cyanide salts, most nitriles are not nearly as toxic.