Ferricyanogen, pronounced /ˌfer-ri-saɪ-əˈnoʊ-dʒən/, is a chemical compound that consists of iron, nitrogen, and carbon. The spelling of this word follows the rules of English phonetics, where each letter or combination of letters represents a specific sound. The word is divided into syllables based on the sound of each letter or group of letters. The letter "c" in "ferricyanogen" is pronounced as /s/ due to its following letter "y", and "gen" is pronounced as /dʒən/, representing a distinct sound.
Ferricyanogen, also known as hexacyanoferrate(III), is a chemical compound with the formula [Fe(CN)6]3-. It consists of an iron (Fe) atom in the +3 oxidation state bonded to six cyanide (CN) ligands. Ferricyanogen belongs to the family of coordination compounds, which are molecules formed by the association of a central metal ion or atom with one or more ligands.
Ferricyanogen is a stable, dark blue crystalline solid that is highly soluble in water. It is commonly used as an oxidizing agent in various chemical reactions due to its capability to donate electrons. This compound can undergo reduction reactions to form ferrocyanide, which is its analogous compound, with the iron atom in the +2 oxidation state.
One important application of ferricyanogen is as a component in the Prussian blue dye, which is widely used as a colorant in paints and inks. Additionally, ferricyanogen is employed in analytical chemistry as a testing reagent for the detection and quantification of reducing agents and certain metals.
Although ferricyanogen is generally considered to be low in toxicity, it is important to handle this compound with caution as cyanide ions can be harmful if released. Therefore, appropriate safety measures should be followed to minimize potential risks when working with ferricyanogen.
A sexivalent radicle, Fe2(CN)12, a compound of cyanogen and iron in the ferric state.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "ferricyanogen" is derived from a combination of two components: "ferric" and "cyanogen".
1. "Ferric" is derived from the Latin word "ferrum", meaning "iron". It refers to the ferric or Fe3+ ion, which is the form of iron that has a positive 3 charge.
2. "Cyanogen" is derived from the Greek words "kyanos", meaning "blue", and "genes", meaning "born" or "origin". Cyanogen refers to a chemical compound composed of two carbon (C) and two nitrogen (N) atoms, represented as (CN)2. Cyanogen compounds often have a blue color.
When these two components are combined in the word "ferricyanogen", it refers to a compound that involves the ferric ion and the cyanogen molecule.