Sodium ferrocyanide
Names | |
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IUPAC name
Tetrasodium [hexacyanoferrate(II)]
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Other names
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Identifiers | |
3D model (
JSmol ) |
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ECHA InfoCard
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100.033.696 |
EC Number |
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E number | E535 (acidity regulators, ...) |
PubChem CID
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UNII | |
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
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Properties | |
Na4[Fe(CN)6] | |
Molar mass | 303.91 g/mol |
Appearance | pale yellow crystals |
Odor | odorless |
Density | 1.458 g/cm3 |
Melting point | 435 °C (815 °F; 708 K) (anhydrous) 81.5 °C (178.7 °F; 354.6 K) (decahydrate) (decomposes) |
10.2 g/100 mL (10 °C) 17.6 g/100 mL (20 °C) 39.7 g/100 mL (96.6 °C) | |
Refractive index (nD)
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1.530 |
Structure | |
monoclinic
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Related compounds | |
Other anions
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Sodium ferricyanide (Red prussiate of soda) |
Other cations
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Potassium ferrocyanide |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Sodium ferrocyanide is the sodium
anion. Despite the presence of the cyanide ligands, sodium ferrocyanide has low toxicity (acceptable daily intake 0–0.025 mg/kg body weight[2]). The ferrocyanides are less toxic than many salts of cyanide, because they tend not to release free cyanide.[3] However, like all ferrocyanide salt solutions, addition of an acid or exposure to UV light can result in the production of hydrogen cyanide gas, which is extremely toxic. [4][5]
Uses
When combined with an Fe(III) salt, it converts to a deep blue pigment called
mercaptans
.
In the EU, ferrocyanides (E 535–538) were, as of 2018, solely authorized as additives in
anticaking agents. The kidneys are the organ susceptible to ferrocyanide toxicity, but according to the EFSA, ferrocyanides are of no safety concern at the levels at which they are used.[7]
Production
Sodium ferrocyanide is produced industrially from
ferrous chloride, and calcium hydroxide, the combination of which affords Ca2[Fe(CN)6] · 11 H2O. A solution of this salt is then treated with sodium salts to precipitate the mixed calcium-sodium salt CaNa2[Fe(CN)6]2, which in turn is treated with sodium carbonate to give the tetrasodium salt.[8]
References
- ^ Sodium ferrocyanide MSDS Archived 2010-05-17 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Toxicological evaluation of some food additives including anticaking agents, antimicrobials, antioxidants, emulsifiers and thickening agents". inchem.org. World Health Organization. 1974. Archived from the original on 1 December 2010. Retrieved 18 May 2009.
- ISBN 0-12-352651-5.
- ^ "PubChem Compound Summary for CID 26129, Sodium ferrocyanide". National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem. Archived from the original on 2023-02-13. Retrieved 2023-01-17.
- ^ "PubChem Compound Summary for CID 768, Hydrogen Cyanide". National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem. Archived from the original on 2023-03-03. Retrieved 2023-01-17.
- ^ "Prussian blue". Encyclopædia Britannica. Archived from the original on 5 September 2015. Retrieved 18 May 2009.
- PMID 32626000.)
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: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link - ISBN 978-3527306732.