potassium hexacyanidoferrate(III)Ferrate(3-), hexakis(cyano-kappaC)-, tripotassium, (OC-6-11)-RefChem:175474DTXCID7011939iron(3+) ion tripotassium hexakis(iminomethanide)237-323-313746-66-2DTXSID9031939
Database identifiers
CAS
13746-66-2
PubChem CID
26250
ChEBI
CHEBI:30060
Properties
Computed structural properties
Topological polar surface area
143 Ų
Hydrogen bond donors
0
Hydrogen bond acceptors
12
Rotatable bonds
0
Heavy atoms
16
Formal charge
0
Complexity
127
Experimental & physicochemical properties
Density · 2 items
1.89 g/cm³
1.85 @25 °C
SolubilitySolubility in water, g/100ml: 46
Physical Description · 2 items
Ruby red crystals; [Merck Index]
RED CRYSTALLINE POWDER.
Physicochemical properties
Melting point
°Cd ec.)
Density
1.85 · 1.85
bulk density
900 · 900-1000kg/m3
vapor pressure
0 Pa · 0Pa at 20℃
storage temp.
5 °C · Store at +5°C to +30°C.
solubility
2 O: · H2O: 1 M at 20 °C, complete, orange-brown
form
fine crystals
color
Orange to red
Specific Gravity
1.88 · 1.88
Odor
Odorless
PH Range
Safety & regulation
GHS classification
GHS Classification · 6 items
This chemical does not meet GHS hazard criteria for 4.9% (14 of 285) of reports.
Warning
H302 (25.3%): Harmful if swallowed [Warning Acute toxicity, oral]；H315 (10.5%): Causes skin irritation [Warning Skin corrosion/irritation]；H319 (62.8%): Causes serious eye irritation [Warning Serious eye damage/eye irritation]；H335 (10.2%): May cause respiratory irritation [Warning Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure; Respiratory tract irritation]；H361 (14.7%): Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child [Warning Reproductive toxicity]；H411 (45.3%): Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects [Hazardous to the aquatic environment, long-term hazard]
P203, P261, P264, P264+P265, P270, P271, P273, P280, P301+P317, P302+P352, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P318, P319, P321, P330, P332+P317, P337+P317, P362+P364, P391, P403+P233, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement)
Aggregated GHS information provided per 285 reports by companies from 12 notifications to the ECHA C&L Inventory. Each notification may be associated with multiple companies.；Reported as not meeting GHS hazard criteria per 14 of 285 reports by companies.；There are 10 notifications provided by 271 of 285 reports by companies with hazard statement code(s).；Information may vary between notifications depending on impurities, additives, and other factors. The percentage value in parenthesis indicates the notified classification ratio from companies that provide hazard codes. Only hazard codes with percentage values above 10% are shown. For more detailed information, please visit ECHA C&L website.
Status: Active Update: 16-04-2020 https://echa.europa.eu/registration-dossier/-/registered-dossier/27573
Potassium ferricyanide: Does not have an individual approval but may be used under an appropriate group standard
Fire HazardsNot combustible. Gives off irritating or toxic fumes (or gases) in a fire.
Hazards Summary
Chemistry & industry
Pharmacology
Metabolism/Metabolites · 1 item
Cyanide is rapidly alsorbed through oral, inhalation, and dermal routes and distributed throughout the body. Cyanide is mainly metabolized into thiocyanate by either rhodanese or 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfur transferase. Cyanide metabolites are excreted in the urine. (L96)
Uses & manufacturing
Uses · 4 items
Used in photography, electroplating, steel tempering, and production of pigments; [ILO Encyclo: Cyano Compounds] Has been used mainly in blueprints; Also in photography, wood staining, wool dyeing, calico printing, steel tempering, electroplating; Used in Mercer's liquor for etching; [Merck Index]
Potassium ferricyanide is used to produce the pigment Prussian blue, in blueprint drawing, in photography, to temper iron and steel, in electroplating, for dyeing wool, and as a common laboratory reagent. (L103)
Applications · 4 items
DescriptionRed prussiate (IUPAC name Potassium hexacyanoferrate(III), also known as red prussiate of Potash, Prussian red, and potassium ferricyanide) occurs as bright red crystals which are soluble in water. Potassium ferricyanide is manufactured by passing chlorine into a solution of potassium ferrocyanide. It is not considered to be toxic but is dangerous when heated or mixed with other chemicals. Potassium ferricyanide is used to prepare Prussian Blue, the deep blue pigment in blue printing. It is used for the testing for ferrous ions. Potassium ferricyanide is widely used as an oxidizing agent in photographic processing to remove silver from negatives and positives, a process called dot etching. In color photograph, potassium ferricyanide is used to reduce the size of color dots without reducing their number, as a kind of manual color correction. Potassium ferricyanide is often used in physiological experiments as a means of increasing a solutions redox potential (Eo 436 mV at pH 7). Potassium ferricyanide is applied to harden iron and steel, in electroplating, dyeing wool and as a laboratory reagent. It is a mild oxidizing agent used in organic synthesis. It is associated with potassium hydroxide solution used to formulate Murakami‘s etchant, which is useful for metallographers to provide contrast between binder and carbide phases in cemented carbides. Further, it is used in many amperometric biosensors as an electron transfer agent replacing an enzyme's natural electron transfer agent such as oxygen with the enzyme glucose oxidase. It is an active ingredient in blood glucose meters used by diabetics. Potassium ferricyanide can be used as chromogenic reagent for the determination of captopril, the first orally active angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, which is applied for the treatment of hypertension, coronary heart disease and congestive heart failure in clinical medicine.
Decomposes when heated, producing hydrogen cyanide; Produces cyanides when reacts with acids; Mild irritant to skin and eyes; [ICSC] Toxic by ingestion, but not as toxic as the simple cyanides; [Sax] The compound has low toxicity unless heated to decomposition; [Hawley]
Chemical DangersDecomposes on heating. This produces toxic gases including hydrogen cyanide. Reacts with acids. This produces cyanides. This generates toxic hazard.
Fire FightingIn case of fire in the surroundings, use appropriate extinguishing media.
First Aid Measures · 4 items
Fresh air, rest.
Remove contaminated clothes. Rinse skin with plenty of water or shower.
First rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible), then refer for medical attention.
Rinse mouth. Give one or two glasses of water to drink.
Safe StorageSeparated from acids. Dry.
Spillage Disposal · 1 item
Personal protection: P2 filter respirator for harmful particles. Do NOT let this chemical enter the environment. Sweep spilled substance into covered containers. If appropriate, moisten first to prevent dusting. Carefully collect remainder. Then store and dispose of according to local regulations.
Eye PreventionWear safety spectacles.
Inhalation RiskA nuisance-causing concentration of airborne particles can be reached quickly when dispersed, especially if powdered.
Skin PreventionProtective gloves.
Ingestion PreventionDo not eat, drink, or smoke during work.
Inhalation PreventionAvoid inhalation of dust.
Effects of Short Term ExposureThe substance is mildly irritating to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract.
Protective Action Criteria (PAC) · 3 items
12 [mg/m3]
54 [mg/m3]
320 [mg/m3]
Toxicology
Treatment · 1 item
Antidotes to cyanide poisoning include hydroxocobalamin and sodium nitrite, which release the cyanide from the cytochrome system, and rhodanase, which is an enzyme occurring naturally in mammals that combines serum cyanide with thiosulfate, producing comparatively harmless thiocyanate. Oxygen therapy can also be administered. (L97)
Health Effects · 1 item
Exposure to high levels of cyanide for a short time harms the brain and heart and can even cause coma, seizures, apnea, cardiac arrest and death. Chronic inhalation of cyanide causes breathing difficulties, chest pain, vomiting, blood changes, headaches, and enlargement of the thyroid gland. Skin contact with cyanide salts can irritate and produce sores. (L96, L97)
Adverse EffectsOther Poison - Chemical Asphyxiant
Exposure Routes · 2 items
The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation and by ingestion.
Inhalation (L96) ; oral (L96) ; dermal (L96)
Toxicity Summary · 1 item
Cyanide is an inhibitor of cytochrome c oxidase in the fourth complex of the electron transport chain (found in the membrane of the mitochondria of eukaryotic cells). It complexes with the ferric iron atom in this enzyme. The binding of cyanide to this cytochrome prevents transport of electrons from cytochrome c oxidase to oxygen. As a result, the electron transport chain is disrupted and the cell can no longer aerobically produce ATP for energy. Tissues that mainly depend on aerobic respiration, such as the central nervous system and the heart, are particularly affected. Cyanide is also known produce some of its toxic effects by binding to catalase, glutathione peroxidase, methemoglobin, hydroxocobalamin, phosphatase, tyrosinase, ascorbic acid oxidase, xanthine oxidase, succinic dehydrogenase, and Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase. Cyanide binds to the ferric ion of methemoglobin to form inactive cyanmethemoglobin. (L97)
Signs and Symptoms · 5 items
Cough. Sore throat.
Redness. Pain.
Redness. Pain.
Abdominal pain. Nausea. Vomiting.
Cyanide poisoning is identified by rapid, deep breathing and shortness of breath, general weakness, giddiness, headaches, vertigo, confusion, convulsions/seizures and eventually loss of consciousness. (L96, L97)
ICSC Environmental DataThis substance may be hazardous to the environment. Special attention should be given to aquatic organisms.
Carcinogen ClassificationNo indication of carcinogenicity to humans (not listed by IARC).
Status: Active Update: 16-04-2020 https://echa.europa.eu/registration-dossier/-/registered-dossier/27573
Potassium ferricyanide: Does not have an individual approval but may be used under an appropriate group standard
Safety data
F
8
PPE
Eyeshields, Gloves
wgk
2
tsca
TSCA listed
rtecs
LJ8225000
ridadr
UN 3077 9 / PGIII
hs_code
28372000
risk_code
32-20/21/22
Signal word
Warning
Symbol(GHS)
GHS07,GHS09
hazard_code
Xn
safety_code
50A-36
Storage Class
11 - Combustible Solids
Hazard statements
H319-H411
REACH Registrations
Active
Hazard Classifications
Aquatic Chronic 2Eye Irrit. 2
Precautionary statements
P264-P273-P280-P305+P351+P338-P337+P313-P391
UsesPotassium ferricyanide (Prussian Red) is an orange solid, It is mainly used as a pigment for staining or in photography, but also in analytical chemistry for its oxidizing properties. Potassium ferricyanide(III) is a potassium salt widely employed as an external indicator in potassium dichromate titrations. A sensor containing potassium ferricyanide assisted enzyme electrode for estimating maltose and glucose in samples has been reported. Addition of potassium ferricyanide in the catholyte can improve the generation of power in microbial fuel cells (MFCs).
UsesPotassium 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. This compound found various applications such as producing blueprints, photography, wood staining, wool dyeing, calico printing, etching liquid (Mercer's liquor), tempering iron and steel, electroplating, mild oxidizing agent in organic synthesis, and analytical chemistry.
General DescriptionPotassium 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].
