The Photolysis of Aqueous-Solutions of Potassium Hexacyanoferrate(III)

The photolysis of aqueous solutions of potassium hexacyanoferrate(III) at 254 and 366 nm forms aqua- or hydroxo-pentacyanoferrate(III) in both acidic and alkaline solutions, with quantum yields between 0.02 and 0.06. Subsequent thermal reactions form the decacyanodiferrate(III) and/or decacyanodiferrate(III,II) species, especially in weakly acidic solutions, and, in alkaline solutions, may precipitate hydrated iron(III) oxides.