The reduction of Fe(CN) 5 L 2− (L = pyridine, isonicotinamide, 4,4 -bipyridine) complexes by ascorbic acid has been subjected to a detailed kinetic study in the range of pH 1-7.5. The rate law of the reaction is interpreted as a rate determining reaction between Fe(III) complexes and the ascorbic acid in the form of H 2 A(k 0 ), HA − (k 1 ), and A 2− (k 2 ), depending on the pH of the solution, followed by a rapid scavenge of the ascorbic acid radicals by Fe(III) complex. With given Ka 1 and Ka 2 , the rate constants are k 0 = 1.8, 7.0, and 4.4 M −1 s −1 ; k 1 = 2.4 × 10 3 , 5.8 × 10 3 , and 5.3 × 10 3 M −1 s −1 ; k 2 = 6.5 × 10 8 , 8.8 × 10 8 , and 7.9 × 10 8 M −1 s −1 for L = py, isn, and bpy, respectively, at µ = 0.