What is Prussian Blue?
Prussian blue (also known as Berlin blue, Brandenburg blue, or Parisian or Paris blue in painting) was initially developed as a paint and ink pigment. The name Prussian blue originated in the 18th century, when the compound was employed to color Prussian army uniform jackets. It is a coordination compound chemically known as ferric ferrocyanide or ferric hexacyanoferrate consisting of iron cations, cyanide anions, and water and is produced when the oxidation of ferrous ferrocyanide salts occurs. This deep blue inorganic compound is widely recognized for its applications in pharmaceutical antidote therapy, histological staining, laboratory research, and specialty industrial uses
In the pharmaceutical field, Prussian Blue is used as an oral decorporation agent to treat internal contamination caused by radioactive cesium isotopes and thallium poisoning and is also listed on the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Medicines.
Beyond pharmaceutical applications, the Prussian Blue compound is also widely used as a histological staining reagent, commonly referred to as the Prussian Blue stain, for detecting iron deposits in biological tissues. Because of its stable crystalline lattice and ion-exchange properties, the compound has gained importance in toxicology research, nuclear medicine preparedness, and materials science.
Macsen Labs supplies high-purity Prussian Blue suitable for pharmaceutical, laboratory, and industrial applications, manufactured by us with strict quality control and consistent product specifications. Send us your inquiry.
| PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS | |
|---|---|
| Name of Product | Prussian Blue |
| IUPAC Name | iron(2+);iron(3+);octadecacyanide |
| Synonyms | Ferric Ferrocyanide; iron(III) hexacyanoferrate(II); Ferrocin; Parisian blue; Preussischblau; Turnbulls Blau; Berliner Blau; Brandenburg blue; Berlin blue; Sarum blue; Midnight blue |
| CAS No | 14038-43-8 |
| Molecular Formula | C18Fe7N18 |
| Molecular Weight | 859.2 g/mol |
| Pubchem CID | 2724251 |
| Pubchem SID | 475523906 |
Chemical Properties
| SR. No | Criteria | Limit/Specification |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Appearance (Form) | Solid Powder or Opaque Crystals |
| 2 | Appearance (Colour) | Deep Blue to Purple |
| 3 | Solubility | Practically insoluble in water, diluted acids, and most common organic solvents |
How does Prussian Blue work?
Prussian Blue functions as an ion-exchange compound due to its highly porous crystalline lattice structure. The framework contains negatively charged cavities that can attract and trap positively charged metal ions.
When administered orally, the compound remains within the gastrointestinal tract. Toxic metal ions such as cesium and thallium enter these lattice cavities and become tightly bound within the structure of the compound. Once bound, these metal ions cannot be reabsorbed into the bloodstream and are gradually eliminated from the body through fecal excretion. This mechanism significantly reduces the biological half-life of radioactive metals and heavy metal toxins, making Prussian Blue an important compound in radiological and toxicological medicine.
For more information on how Prussian blue functions as an antidote for radioactive poisoning, click here.
Uses
- In medicine, Prussian blue is provided orally as an antidote for heavy metal poisoning, such as that caused by Thallium(I) and radioactive isotopes of Caesium.
- It is a common histopathology stain that pathologists employ to detect the presence of iron in biopsies, such as bone marrow samples. One of the most common applications of the stain is the identification of siderotic granules with Prussian Blue in bone marrow samples and tissue sections. These iron-containing granules appear as bright blue deposits and are used to diagnose conditions related to iron metabolism and storage.
- Prussian blue in an oily base has traditionally been the material of choice for identifying metal surfaces prior to hand scraping, particularly surface plates and bearings.
- Prussian Blue/Prussian Blue Analogues and their derivatives can be employed as electrode materials in lithium-ion, sodium-ion, and potassium-ion batteries for reversible alkali-ion insertion and extraction.
- It also serves as a pigment that is utilized frequently in the production of oil paintings, watercolors, dyes, and also in some cosmetic ingredients.
FAQs
Q. Is Prussian blue toxic?
Attempts at self-treatment with Prussian blue dye grade are not recommended. The dye grade variety of Prussian blue should not be used as a therapy for radioactive contamination since it may cause harm.
Q. What color is Prussian Blue?
Prussian Blue is a deep, dark blue pigment that may appear slightly greenish depending on the formulation and particle size.
Q. How does Prussian Blue work?
Prussian Blue works by binding radioactive cesium and thallium in the intestines. This prevents their reabsorption into the bloodstream and allows them to be eliminated from the body through bowel movements.
Q. What is Prussian Blue an antidote for?
Prussian Blue is an FDA-approved antidote for radioactive cesium (¹³⁷Cs) and thallium poisoning. It binds these toxic substances in the gastrointestinal tract and helps remove them from the body through feces.
Q. How does Prussian Blue works as an antidote to Thallium?
Thallium ions are chemically similar to potassium and can be rapidly absorbed into tissues. Prussian Blue acts by binding thallium ions within its crystal lattice inside the gastrointestinal tract. This binding process prevents the reabsorption of thallium through enterohepatic circulation. The toxin is then eliminated through feces, which accelerates detoxification and reduces systemic exposure.
Q. Where to buy Prussian Blue?
Macsen Laboratories is a GMP and ISO certified manufacturer & supplier of high-quality Prussian Blue for research, laboratory, and industrial applications.
Resources
Prussian Blue as an Antidote for Radioactive Poisoning
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