Potassium ferricyanide — potassium hexacyanoferrate(III) — is a mild, water-stable one-electron oxidant and one half of the ferricyanide/ferrocyanide redox couple used across biosensing, electrochemistry, and classic preparative chemistry. Despite its name, the compound is low-toxicity under normal handling because the cyanides are strongly bound within the complex; hazardous hydrogen cyanide release requires strong acid.
Chemical Identity and Key Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| CAS Number | 13746-66-2 |
| Molecular Formula | C6FeK3N6 |
| Molecular Weight | 328.84 g/mol |
| Density | 1.89 g/cm³ |
| Solubility | Solubility in water, g/100ml: 46 |
| Typical Purity | ≥99.0% |
Electrochemistry and Biosensing
The ferricyanide/ferrocyanide couple is the default model redox system for electrode characterization and amperometric biosensor development; reversible, well-behaved voltammetry at inert electrodes makes it the benchmark for evaluating electrode materials and mediators.
Synthetic and Analytical Chemistry
Ferricyanide oxidizes phenols and anilines to radical intermediates, enabling dimerization and polymerization; it participates in the classic Tollens-like and ferricyanide-assisted oxidative couplings and serves as an oxidant in preparative routes where mild conditions protect sensitive functionality.
Photographic and Blueprint Applications
In contact with iron(II) salts, ferricyanide generates Prussian blue — the reaction behind cyanotype/blueprint printing and certain photoimaging and toning processes.
Safety Clarifications
The complexed cyanide ligands are stable to neutral and basic conditions; avoid strong acids (HCN release) and keep away from photodegradation products in storage. Standard laboratory PPE and disposal per local cyanide-complex regulations apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is potassium ferricyanide as dangerous as cyanide salts?
No — the iron-bound cyanide is kinetically inert under neutral conditions; the main precautions are avoiding strong-acid contact and following local disposal rules for cyanide complexes.
What purity is standard?
≥99.0% for reagent use, with low ferrocyanide content; verify the COA for electrochemistry where the redox purity matters.
Can it be supplied in bulk?
Yes — various pack sizes with COA/MSDS from CoreyChem, subject to shipping-classification review.
Source from CoreyChem
CoreyChem supplies Potassium ferricyanide (CAS 13746-66-2) with lot-specific COA and MSDS documentation. Custom synthesis, higher purity grades, and bulk packaging are available on request — contact our technical team with your target specification and quantity for current lead time and pricing.
