Potassium ferrocyanide
.jpg) Potassium ferrocyanide sample
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 K4[Fe(CN)6]•3H2O crystals, grown by following ChemPlayer's method of converting K3Fe(CN)6 to the ferrocyanide salt
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| Names | |
|---|---|
| IUPAC name
Potassium hexacyanidoferrate(II)
| |
| Other names
Ferrate hexacyano tetrapotassium trihydrate
Potassium hexacyanoferrate (II) trihydrate Tetrapotassium ferrocyanide trihydrate Yellow prussiate of potash | |
| Properties | |
| K4[Fe(CN)6] | |
| Molar mass | 368.35 g/mol (anhydrous) 422.388 g/mol (trihydrate) |
| Appearance | Light yellow solid |
| Odor | Odorless |
| Density | 1.85 g/cm3 (trihydrate) |
| Melting point | 70 °C (158 °F; 343 K) (decomposes) |
| Boiling point | Decomposes |
| trihydrate 28.9 g/100 ml (20 °C) | |
| Solubility | Insoluble in diethyl ether, ethanol, toluene |
| Vapor pressure | ~0 mmHg |
| Hazards | |
| Safety data sheet | Sigma-Aldrich |
| Flash point | Non-flammable |
| Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC): | |
| LD50 (Median dose)
|
6400 mg/kg (oral, rat) |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds
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Prussian blue Potassium ferricyanide |
| Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). | |
| Infobox references | |
Potassium ferrocyanide or potassium hexacyanidoferrate(II) is is the potassium salt of the ferrocyanide coordination complex. It's generally available as trihydrate, K4[Fe(CN)6]·3 H2O.
Contents
Properties
Chemical
Pyrolysis of potassium ferrocyanide will yield potassium cyanide:
- K4[Fe(CN)6] → 4 KCN + FeC2 + N2
Adding ferric chloride to a solution of this compound will yield Prussian blue.
Treatment of potassium ferrocyanide with nitric acid gives H2[Fe(NO)(CN)5]. After neutralization of this intermediate with sodium carbonate, red crystals of sodium nitroprusside can be selectively crystallized.
Physical
Potassium ferrocyanide is a lemon yellow solid, soluble in water, but less so in organic solvents.
Availability
Potassium ferrocyanide can be purchased online. It can also be bought from eBay and Amazon.
Preparation
Potassium ferrocyanide is produced industrially from hydrogen cyanide, ferrous chloride, and calcium hydroxide, the combination of which affords Ca2[Fe(CN)6]·11H2O. This solution is then treated with potassium salts to precipitate the mixed calcium-potassium salt CaK2[Fe(CN)6], which in turn is treated with potassium carbonate to give the tetrapotassium salt.
Can be prepared by heating a nitrogen source, such as potassium nitrate, with iron and carbon. The product is purified via recrystallization from water.
Projects
- Make potassium ferricyanide
- Anti-caking agent
- Make Prussian blue
- Grow large yellow crystals
- Make cyanides
Handling
Safety
Potassium ferrocyanide is irritant and should he handled with care.
While its molecule contains cyanide groups, potassium ferrocyanide cannot be broken down to hydrogen cyanide in the organism, making it nontoxic.
Storage
Potassium ferrocyanide should be stored in closed bottles, away from strong acidic vapors.
Disposal
No special disposal is required. Can be dumped in trash.
