Potassium ferricyanide Lewis Structure

Potassium ferricyanide Lewis Structure: C₆FeK₃N₆ Lewis Structure, see text Geometry, sp Hybridization & Polarity

Potassium ferricyanide Key Facts

The Potassium ferricyanide Lewis structure is N–C triple bond; the central N has 2 electron domains (1 lone pair), giving a linear electron-domain arrangement and a see text molecular geometry with a — bond angle. N is best described as sp-hybridized, and Potassium ferricyanide is polar because the see text shape (and/or unequal terminal atoms) prevents cancellation of the bond dipoles.

Figure 1: Lewis Structure of Potassium ferricyanide (C₆FeK₃N₆)

Chemical Formula	C₆FeK₃N₆
CAS Number	13746-66-2
Total Valence Electrons	57
Lewis Structure	N–C triple bond
Electron-Domain Geometry	linear
Molecular Geometry	see text
Hybridization Model	sp (central N)
Bond Angle	—
Polarity	Polar molecule

PubChem (CID 26250) and NIST list Potassium ferricyanide as C ₆FeK ₃N ₆ with CAS 13746-66-2; molecular weight ≈ 329.24 g/mol. View CAS 13746-66-2 dictionary details on Guidechem →

Applications of Potassium ferricyanide (CAS 13746-66-2)

This organic compound is used as a solvent, intermediate or specialty reagent in fine-chemical, pharmaceutical and materials synthesis; specify grade and impurity profile when sourcing.

Solvent / Reagent Medium for reactions, extraction or formulation.

Intermediate Building block for downstream derivatives.

Specialty Use Targeted role in pharma/fragrance/materials.

Procurement Note "Potassium ferricyanide" is supplied in multiple commercial grades and package sizes. Specify purity, grade, moisture/impurity limits, package (cylinder, drum or bulk) and intended process, and use CAS 13746-66-2 as the primary identifier when screening suppliers; always confirm regional availability and safety documentation (SDS).

Step 1 - Valence Electrons & Central Atom

To draw the Potassium ferricyanide Lewis structure we first count the total valence electrons. C₆FeK₃N₆ contains 6×4 (C) + 3×1 (K) + 6×5 (N); the net charge of 0 gives a total of 57 valence electrons to place.

The central atom is N. It is the least electronegative atom capable of forming multiple bonds and is surrounded by the more electronegative terminal atom(s); hydrogen, when present, always occupies a terminal position. Electronegativity considerations place the electron density toward the terminal atom(s).

Valence-electron count

Total valence electrons = 6×4 (C) + 3×1 (K) + 6×5 (N) = 57 electrons.

Step 2 - Lewis Structure & Electron Distribution

Place N at the center and connect each surrounding atom with a single bond, complete octets on the terminal atoms, and place any remaining electrons on the central atom. The resulting electron distribution is: N–C triple bond; one lone pair on N.

Counting bonding and nonbonding electrons around N therefore satisfies the octet/expanded-octet requirement for the drawn structure.

N≡C

N: 1 lone pair, 1 bonding domain

1 bonding domains + 1 lone pairs = 2 electron domains

Octet Rule: Why N Has Eight Electrons N forms 1 bond(s) and retains 2 nonbonding electron(s), reaching an octet. No expanded octet is required for this second-row (or octet-satisfying) central atom.

Step 3 - VSEPR Theory & Geometry

VSEPR theory states that the 2 electron domains around N arrange to minimize mutual repulsion, giving an linear electron-domain geometry.

Because 1 of these domains are lone pair(s) — and lone pairs repel more strongly than bonding pairs — the observed molecular geometry is see text; the N bond angle is set to — rather than the ideal value for the electron-domain geometry.

Repulsion hierarchy

A useful VSEPR approximation is: lone pair–lone pair repulsion > lone pair–bonding pair repulsion > bonding pair–bonding pair repulsion. With 1 lone pair(s) on N, the lone-pair domains occupy positions that minimize overall repulsion while pushing the bonding domains (and therefore the bonded atoms) closer together.

Hybridization & Formal Charge

In the conventional localized-bond model, N uses sp hybrid orbitals to form the 2 equivalent electron-domain directions (1 bonding + 1 lone pair).

Formal-charge check

Formal charge on central N = V − N − ½B = 5 − 2 − ½×6 = 0. The preferred Lewis structure carries zero formal charge on the central atom (and on the terminals), so it is the dominant contributor.

Modeling Note Modeling Note: sp is a compact model for the 2 electron-domain directions around N; full quantum-chemical treatments use molecular orbitals.

Is Potassium ferricyanide Polar or Nonpolar?

Potassium ferricyanide is polar. The see text shape prevents cancellation of the bond dipoles. The bond dipoles do not cancel, leaving a net molecular dipole, which strongly influences solvation behavior and intermolecular interactions.

Expert Quote — Structural Chemistry Perspective

The decisive structural fact is not simply that the individual bonds are polar; it is whether molecular symmetry allows their vector sum to vanish. In Potassium ferricyanide the see text arrangement prevents cancellation, so a permanent dipole remains.

Interpretation consistent with standard VSEPR / molecular-geometry references.

This polarity profile underpins its behavior as a solvent, reactant or process intermediate; when sourcing, specify grade and container compatibility.

Structural Comparison Table

Species	Formula	Central Atom	Electron Domains	Molecular Geometry	Polarity
Potassium ferricyanide	C₆FeK₃N₆	N	2	see text	Polar
Ammonia	H₃N	N	4	trigonal pyramidal	Polar
Ammonium	H₄N	N	4	tetrahedral	Nonpolar
Hydrazine	H₄N₂	N	4	trigonal pyramidal	Polar
Nitrogen	N₂	N	2	linear (diatomic)	Nonpolar
Nitric oxide	NO	N	3	linear (diatomic)	Polar

Practice question Starting from the 57 valence electrons of C₆FeK₃N₆, draw the Lewis structure and confirm the central N atom is sp-hybridized with see text geometry. What happens to the bond angle if one terminal atom is replaced by a more electronegative substituent?

Looking for industrial bulk or specified-grade supplies of Potassium ferricyanide (CAS 13746-66-2)? Browse Supplier on Guidechem →

FAQs

Is C₆FeK₃N₆ polar or nonpolar?

Potassium ferricyanide is polar. Its see text geometry (and/or unequal terminal atoms) stops the bond dipoles from cancelling.

What is the Lewis structure of Potassium ferricyanide?

N–C triple bond; one lone pair on N. It uses all 57 valence electrons and the preferred structure carries zero formal charge on the central atom.

What is the bond angle in Potassium ferricyanide?

The N angle is about —. Lone-pair repulsion compresses the angle from the ideal linear value.

What is the hybridization of N in Potassium ferricyanide?

The conventional model is sp. Potassium ferricyanide has 2 electron domains around the central N.

What is the CAS number of Potassium ferricyanide?

The CAS number is 13746-66-2. PubChem (CID 26250) and NIST identify this with C₆FeK₃N₆; use it to locate suppliers and database records.

References

PubChem CID 26250, Potassium ferricyanide. Molecular formula, CAS number, molecular weight and chemical identity.
NIST Chemistry WebBook, SRD 69, Potassium ferricyanide. Formula, CAS Registry Number and thermochemical / spectroscopic data.
IUPAC Gold Book. Definitions for "lone pair", "VSEPR", "hybridization" and "formal charge".
Atkins, P. & de Paula, J., Physical Chemistry. VSEPR, molecular geometry and dipole moments.
Guidechem supplier & dictionary records. Commercial sourcing and CAS-linked property pages for Potassium ferricyanide (CAS 13746-66-2).

Technical scope: Lewis structures, VSEPR and hybridization are model-based descriptions for chemical communication and structure prediction; actual molecular electronic structure is more accurately represented by molecular-orbital and quantum-chemical methods. Commercial grades vary substantially by supplier and intended use; CAS 13746-66-2 identifies the substance, not a universal purity specification.

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Potassium ferricyanide Lewis Structure