A thiosemicarbazone is an organosulfur compound with the formula H2NC(S)NHN=CR2. Many variations exist, including those where some or all of the NH centers are substituted by organic groups. Thiosemicarbazones are usually produced by condensation of a thiosemicarbazide with an aldehyde or ketone:
In terms of their chemical structures, the CSN3 core atoms are coplanar.[1]
Some thiosemicarbazones have medicinal properties, e.g. the antiviral metisazone and the antibiotic thioacetazone. Thiosemicarbazones are also widely used as ligands in coordination chemistry.[2] The affinity of thiosemicarbazones for metal ions is exploited in controlling iron overload.[3]