The bonding present in the coordination complex potassium ferrocyanide, , can be classified as which — Coordination Compounds Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Potassium ferrocyanide, $K_4[Fe(CN)_6]$, consists of $K^+$ ions and $[Fe(CN)_6]^{4-}$ complex anions held together by ionic bonds. Within the complex anion, the cyanide ($CN^-$) ligands are bound to the central $Fe^{2+}$ ion via coordinate covalent (dative) bonds. Inside the cyanide ligand itself, carbon and nitrogen are bonded via purely covalent bonds. Therefore, it exhibits ionic, covalent, and coordinate covalent bonding.