Properties
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 4−, which is a ferrous (Fe2+) derivative. This redox couple is reversible and entails no making or breaking of Fe-C bonds:
- 3− + e− → 4−
This redox couple is a standard in electrochemistry.
Compared to normal cyanides like potassium cyanide, ferricyanides are much less toxic because of the tight hold of the CN- to the Fe3+. They do react with mineral acids, however, to release highly toxic hydrogen cyanide gas.
Read more about this topic: Ferricyanide
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