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Ferricyanide

Anion in which a Fe3+ ion is complexed by 6 CN– ions

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Through Organic chemistry, Cyanide and Ligand

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Properties

[Fe(CN)6]3− consists of a Fe3+ center bound in octahedral geometry to six cyanide ligands. The complex has Oh symmetry. The iron is low-spin and easily reduced to the related ferrocyanide ion [Fe(CN)6]4−, which is a ferrous (Fe2+) derivative. This redox couple is reversible and entails no making or breaking of Fe–C bonds:

[Fe(CN)6]3− + e− ⇌ [Fe(CN)6]4−

This redox couple is a standard in electrochemistry.

Compared to main group cyanides like potassium cyanide, ferricyanides are less toxic because of the strong bond between the cyanide ion (CN−) and the Fe3+. They do react with mineral acids, however, to release highly toxic hydrogen cyanide gas.

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