potassium ferricyanide

Chemical properties

Potassium ferricyanide, also known as red potassium prussiate and red prussiate of potash, has the chemical formula C6FeK3N6 or K3[Fe(CN)6]. It is poisonous, bright red, water-soluble light-sensitive crystals that decompose when heated. The crystals are soluble in water but less so in alcohol that is used in calico printing and wool dyeing.

The Uses of potassium ferricyanide

Also known as red prussiate of potash, this deep red crystal was made by passing chlorine gas through a solution of potassium ferrocyanide. The crystals are soluble in water but less so in alcohol. Potassium ferricyanide was used with ferric ammonium citrate to sensitize paper for the cyanotype process and mixed with hypo to make Farmer’s reducer which was used to reduce the density of silver-based images.

The Uses of potassium ferricyanide

To a solution of the SM (16.53 g, 72 mmol) in DMF (20 mL) was added dppf (8 g, 14.43 mmol) and ZnCN2 (5.08 g, 43.3 mmol), followed by Pd2(dba)3 (6.61 g, 7.22 mmol). The mixture was stirred at reflux for 16 h, cooled to RT, and concentrated in vacuo. EtOAc (1.0 L) was added to the crude and the resulting suspension was filtered. The filtrate was washed with H2O (1.0 L) and the aq layer extracted with EtOAc (2 x 1.0 L). The combined org extracts were washed with brine (1.0 L), dried (MgSO4), and concentrated in vacuo. The resulting material was purified by column chromatography (eluting with 5% EtOAc/pentane) to provide the product as a solid. [13.7 g, 88%]

What are the applications of Application

Potassium hexacyanoferrate(III) is an electron acceptor that is used to determine dopamine hydrochloride levels

Production Methods

This deep red crystal was made by passing chlorine gas through a solution of potassium ferrocyanide. The oxidation of ferrocyanide yields potassium ferricyanide.Potassium ferricyanide is used as a chemical reagent and in metallurgy, photography, and pigments.

Definition

ChEBI: Potassium hexacyanoferrate(3-) is a potassium salt and a hexacyanoferrate(3-) salt.

What are the applications of Application

It is used in many amperometric biosensors as an electron transfer agent replacing an enzyme's natural electron transfer agent with the enzyme glucose oxidase. It is a major component of Murakami's etchant for cemented carbides.

General Description

Potassium hexacyanoferrate(III) (Potassium ferricyanide) is an alkali hexacyanoferrate. On heating, it undergoes decomposition to afford yellow-brown hexacyanoiron(III) acid. It can be prepared by the anodic oxidation of K₄[Fe(CN)₆].

Hazard

Decomposes on strong heating to evolve highly toxic fumes, but the compound itself has low toxicity.

Safety Profile

Moderately toxic by ingestion. Not as toxic as the simple cyanides. Mutation data reported. Explosive reaction with ammonia, chromium trioxide (above 196°C), sodtum nitrite + heat. Violent reaction with Cu(NO3)2. Mixtures with chromium trioxide + silver grains ignite with friction. When heated to decomposition or on contact with acid or acid fumes it emits hghly toxic fumes of K2O and CN-. Used as a fmative in photography, as a metal cleaner, and for glass coatings.

Purification Methods

It has been recrystallised repeatedly from hot water (1.3mL/g) and dried under vacuum in a desiccator.