Potassium ferrocyanide

Potassium ferrocyanide is the coordination salt K₄[Fe(CN)₆], composed of potassium ions and the ferrocyanide complex anion. It is also called yellow prussiate of potash.

Ferrocyanide: Ferrocyanide is the [Fe(CN)₆]⁴⁻ complex ion, containing iron(II) coordinated to six cyanide ligands. This anion is the coordination unit paired with potassium ions in the salt.
Food additive: A food additive is a substance intentionally included in food for a technological purpose. Potassium ferrocyanide is used in some jurisdictions as an anticaking agent in salt.
Yellow prussiate of potash: Yellow prussiate of potash is the historical name for potassium ferrocyanide. This traditional name distinguishes the yellow compound from red prussiate of potash.
Potassium ferricyanide: Potassium ferricyanide is K₃[Fe(CN)₆], a salt containing the ferricyanide ion with iron(III). It differs from ferrocyanide in iron oxidation state and anion charge.
Coordination compound: A coordination compound contains a central metal atom or ion bonded to surrounding ligands. Potassium ferrocyanide exemplifies a salt built around a metal–ligand complex.
Anticaking agent: An anticaking agent reduces the tendency of powdered or granulated materials to form lumps. Small regulated amounts help keep table salt free-flowing.
Prussian blue: Prussian blue is a deep-blue iron coordination pigment with an extended structure containing iron and cyanide. The pigment’s production from iron salts and ferrocyanide helped establish the compound’s practical importance.
Ferricyanide: Ferricyanide is the [Fe(CN)₆]³⁻ complex ion, containing iron(III) coordinated to six cyanide ligands. Its +3 iron center distinguishes it from the +2 center in ferrocyanide.
Coordination bond: A coordination bond is a covalent bond in which both bonding electrons are supplied by one atom or ion. Cyanide ligands form coordinate bonds to the iron center.
Salt: Salt is a crystalline ionic compound; in food contexts, the word usually means sodium chloride. Food-grade potassium ferrocyanide is added to some salts to prevent caking.

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