IUPAC name for #[Fe(CN)_6]^(-4)# is? (A) hexacynoferrate (II) (B) hexacyno iron (II) (C) hexacynoferrate (IV) (D) hexacynoferrate (II) ion

1 Answer
Aug 22, 2017

Well IUPAC would probably call this #"hexacyanoferrate(II)"#

Explanation:

So #"option D"# is the one to order. I would simply call this #"ferrocyanide anion"#. This is clearly a salt of #Fe(II)# inasmuch as each of the cyanide ligands bears a formula negative charge:

#[Fe(C-=N)_6]^(4-)-=Fe^(2+) + 6xx""^(-):C-=N, "i.e. ferrous ion"#. Do the charges balance?

Note that in labs where cyanides are used extensively, there would be a bottle of Fe(II) salts at the ready, in order to force down the throat of someone who ingested cyanide thru mouth or hands.