Potassium hexacyanoferrate (II) 2 %

Potassium ferricyanide(II) 2 % (blood lye salt yellow) is an aqueous solution used in various applications. In histology, it is used primarily in the Perls-Prussian Blue reaction, a method for visualizing and identifying iron deposits in tissue specimens. This staining technique is useful in the study of diseases associated with iron overload, such as hemochromatosis, thalassemia, or sideroblastic anemia.

The special suitability of this solution lies in its ability to form insoluble blue complexes with ferric ions in tissue samples. Addition of an acidic solution converts the trivalent iron in the heme iron deposits to a soluble form, which can then react with potassium hexacyanoferrate(II). The resulting blue complexes are readily visible under the microscope and allow accurate examination and localization of iron deposits in the tissue under study.

Chemically, potassium ferricyanide(II) is a coordination complex that acts as a reducing agent and is capable of converting ferric ions into insoluble Prussian blue complexes.

The advantages of potassium ferricyanide(II) 2% over similar products are its stability, efficiency and reproducibility of staining. The solution is easy to use and provides reliable results in the identification of iron deposits in histological specimens.