Sodium ferrocyanide

Synonyms

Ferrate(4-), hexacyano-, tetrasodium; Ferrate(4-), hexakis(cyano-C)-, tetrasodium, (OC-6-11)-; Sodium hexacyanoferrate(II); Sodium prussiate yellow; Tetrasodium ferrocyanide; Tetrasodium hexacyanoferrate; Tetrasodium hexacyanoferrate(4-); Yellow prussiate of soda; [ChemIDplus]

Category

Metals, Inorganic Compounds

Description

Decahydrate: Pale yellow slightly efflorescent solid; [Merck Index] Yellowish crystals; [MSDSonline]

Sources/Uses

Used in ore flotation, photography (bleaching, toning, and fixing), pickling baths, blue pigments and dyes, blue print paper, metallurgy, and tanning; Also used as a polymerization catalyst, a rock salt anti-caking agent, a peptizing agent in rubber, and an arc stabilizer in welding rod coatings; [HSDB] Used as an anti-caking agent for food; [Merck Index]

Comments

Ferrocyanide complexes are stable and practically nontoxic because of the strong bonding between iron and cyanide. Cyanide ions may be formed slowly when the chemical is irradiated with UV light. [Ullmann] Solutions may produce hydrogen cyanide on prolonged exposure to sunlight; [Merck Index] Aqueous solutions form hydrogen cyanide when exposed to light; May cause irritation; [MSDSonline]

Biomedical References

Other Poison

Chemical Asphyxiant

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Leather Tanning and Processing
• Metal Extraction and Refining
• Photographic Processing
• Pulp and Paper Processing
• Welding