Formation of copper(II), zinc(II), silver(I) and lead(II) ferrocyanides.

The factors influencing the formation of metal hexacyano-ferrate(II) complexes have been examined and the experimental conditions leading to formation of M(2)Fe(CN)(6), and K(2)M(3)[Fe(CN)(6)](2) have been studied, where M is Cu(II) or Zn(II); Ag(I) yields Ag(4)Fe(CN)(6). and KAg(3)Fe(CN)(6) and Pb(II) yields only Pb(2)Fe(CN)(6). Measurements made at constant ionic strength obtained by addition of K(2)SO(4) show how the potassium ion affects the stabilization of the complexes. The free energy changes and K(sp) values for the complexes have been calculated.