360Science™: The Redox Chemistry of Iron

In this lab, students investigate the iron(III) oxidation state with single replacement reactions. When mixed with potassium ferrocyanide, potassium ferricyanide or potassium thiocyanate, iron complexes undergo distinct color changes. The color that forms in each test tube will help students understand that not all changes in a solution indicates a successful reaction. It will also help them determine how to identify different oxidation states of iron.