In an effort to reconcile conflicting reports regarding the spectra of the human defense factorhypothiocyanite (OSCN
-), we have synthesized OSCN
- by three methods and characterized the productspectroscopically. Method I is lactoperoxidase-catalyzed oxidation of SCN
- by H
2O
2 at pH 7. Method IIis hydrolysis of (SCN)
2 at pH 13. Method III is oxidation of SCN
- by OX
- (X = Cl and Br) at pH 13.All three methods produced essentially the same initial UV,
13C NMR, and
15N NMR spectra. The UVspectrum reveals a
max of 376 nm, which is a previously unreported distinguishing feature. The
13CNMR spectrum (
![](/images/gifchars/delta.gif)
= 127.8 ppm at pH 13 vs dioxane at 66.6 ppm) is comparable to those that have beenpreviously reported for OSCN
- as prepared by methods I and II (although in some cases differentassignments have been made). However, the
15N NMR spectrum we measure (
![](/images/gifchars/delta.gif)
= -80.6 ppm at pH 13vs NO
3- at 0 ppm) contrasts with previous reports. We conclude that all three methods produce the samespecies, and the spectra are now self-consistent with the formulation OSCN
-.