Ferric ferrocyanide

Synonyms

Ferrate(1-), hexakis(cyano-C)di-; Ferrate(4-), hexakis(cyano-C)-, iron(3+) (3:4); Ferric hexacyanoferrate (II); Ferrihexacyanoferrate; Ferrihexacyanoferrate (VAN); Ferrocin; Ferrotsin; Insoluble Prussian Blue; Iron ferrocyanide; Iron ferrocyanide (Fe4(Fe(CN)6)3); Iron hexacyanoferrate; Iron(3 ) hexacyanoferrate(4-) (4:3); Iron(3+) ferrocyanide; Iron(III) ferrocyanide; Milori Blue; Prussian blue (Fe4(Fe(CN)6)3); Prussian blue insoluble; Radiogardase; Radiogardase-Cs; Tetrairon tris(hexacyanoferrate); Tetrairon(3+) tris(hexacyanoferrate(4-)); [ChemIDplus]

Category

Metals, Inorganic Compounds

Description

Purple solid; Mostly soluble in water (6 g/L); [Merck Index] Deep blue powder; [MSDSonline]

Sources/Uses

Used as a pigment in printing inks, paints, alkyd resin enamels, linoleum, leather, carbon papers, typewriter ribbons, rubbers, plastics, artists' colors, cosmetics (eye shadow), and paper dyeing; Also used in fertilizer, baked enamel finishes, hydrogen sulfide scavengers, and antidotes for radiocesium and thallium poisoning; [HSBD]

Comments

May cause irritation; [MSDSonline] 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] Prussian blue is used as a medication in 500-milligram capsules to treat patients poisoned by thallium or radioactive cesium. [CDC Radiation Emergencies | Prussian Blue]

Biomedical References

1 mg/m3, as Fe (soluble iron salts)

1 mg/m3

Other Poison

Chemical Asphyxiant

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Leather Tanning and Processing
• Painting (Pigments, Binders, and Biocides)
• Pulp and Paper Processing

Activities

Activities with risk of exposure:

• Enameling
• Leather crafting
• Painting