The aqueous reaction of acidic Cl2 with excess SCN- rapidly generates a UV-absorbing intermediate identified as an equilibrium mixture of thiocyanogen, (SCN)2, and trithiocyanate, (SCN)3(-). The decomposition of this mixture can be described as 3(SCN)2 + 4H2O --> 5HSCN + H2SO4 + HCN. Under our conditions the decomposition is sufficiently slow that its kinetics can be studied using standard stopped-flow methodology. Over the pH range 0-2 the decomposition rate law is -d[(SCN)2]/dt = (3/2)[k(disp)K(hyd)2[(SCN)2]2/([SCN-]2[H+]2 + K(SCN)3-[SCN-]3[H+]2 + K(hyd)[SCN-][H+])] with K(SCN)3(-) = 0.43 +/- 0.29 M(-1), K(hyd) = (5.66 +/- 0.77) x 10(-4) M2, and k(disp) = (6.86 +/- 0.95) x 10(4) M(-1) s(-1) at 25 degrees C and micro = 1 M. The K(SCN)3(-) and K(hyd) terms are significant enhancements relative to one of the rate laws conventionally cited. In the proposed mechanism, K(SCN)3(-) refers to the formation of (SCN)3(-) by association of SCN- with (SCN)2, K(hyd) refers to the hydrolysis of (SCN)2 to form HOSCN, and k(disp) is the rate constant for the bimolecular irreversible disproportionation of HOSCN, which leads ultimately to SO4(2-) and HCN. Ab initio calculations support the values of K(SCN)3(-) and K(hyd) reported herein. The high value for k(disp) indicates that HOSCN is a short-lived transient, while the magnitude of K(hyd) provides information on its thermodynamic stability. These results bear on the physiological role of enzymes that catalyze the oxidation of SCN- such as salivary peroxidase and myeloperoxidase.