Used in the production of thiourea and other sulfur-containing chemicals, sodium thiocyanate serves as a key reagent in organic synthesis. It is employed in the textile industry for the manufacture of synthetic fibers like rayon. In metallurgy, it acts as a selective solvent for separating and recovering metals such as copper and mercury from ores and waste streams. It is also used in the formulation of certain pesticides and corrosion inhibitors. In laboratories, it functions as a chaotropic agent in protein denaturation and nucleic acid purification. Additionally, it finds use in analytical chemistry for the detection of iron and other metal ions due to its ability to form colored complexes.