Ferricyanide: Difference between revisions

[Fe(CN)₆]³⁻ consists of a Fe³⁺ center bound in [[octahedral geometry]] to six [[cyanide]] [[ligand]]s. The complex has O_h [[symmetry group|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:

Compared to normal [[cyanide]]s 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.