Table of Contents
What is Ferric Chloride?
Ferric chloride is an inorganic compound with the formula FeCl3. It is a yellow-green solid that is soluble in water. Ferric chloride is a Lewis acid, meaning that it can donate electrons to other species. In aqueous solution, it ionizes into Fe3+ ions and Cl− ions.
Physical Properties of Matter
The physical properties of matter are mass, volume, density, and temperature.
- Mass is a measure of how much matter is in an object.
- Volume is a measure of how much space an object takes up.
- Density is a measure of how much matter is in a given volume.
- Temperature is a measure of how hot or cold an object is.
Chemical Properties
The chemical properties of an element are determined by the way its atoms combine with other atoms to form molecules. The chemical properties of an element can also affected by the environment in which it is found.
Preparation of Ferric Chloride
Ferric chloride can prepared by reacting ferrous chloride with chlorine gas. The equation for this reaction is:
2 FeCl2(aq) + Cl2(g) → 2 FeCl3(aq)
The chlorine gas bubbled through a solution of ferrous chloride until the desired concentration of ferric chloride reached.
Ferric Chloride Test
The ferric chloride test a qualitative test used to determine the presence of iron in a sample. However a sample mixed with ferric chloride, and if iron is present, a blue or black precipitate will form.
Applications of Ferric Chloride
- Ferric chloride used to etch copper and brass.
- It also used in the textile industry as a mordant.
- Ferric chloride is a highly corrosive substance.
- It soluble in water and forms a green solution.
- Used for water purification, wastewater treatment, and as a coagulant in paper production.
- It also used as an oxidizing agent in organic synthesis and as a catalyst in petroleum refining.
