Ferric Chloride - FeCl₃

Table of Contents

• What is Ferric chloride?
• Properties of Ferric chloride – FeCl3
• Structure of Ferric chloride (FeCl3)
• Uses of Ferric chloride (FeCl3)
• Preparation of Ferric chloride
• Preparation of Ferric chloride Solution
• Ferric Chloride Test

What is Ferric chloride?

Ferric chloride is a dark colour crystal with the oxidation state of iron being +3. It is also called Iron (III) chloride or Molysite.

It is an iron coordination entity which functions as an astringent and Lewis acid. The chemical formula of Ferric Chloride is FeCl₃.

Molysite solution is colourless to light brown and has a faint hydrochloric acid (HCl) smell. It is corrosive to most metals and tissues. It is non-combustible and is widely used in water purification and sewage treatment.

In its anhydrous form, it is deliquescent. Also, partial hydrolysis takes place as it absorbs water from the air and liberates hydrogen chloride (HCl) that forms mists in moist air. It is a strong Lewis acid.

Properties of Ferric chloride – FeCl₃

Structure of Ferric chloride (FeCl₃)

Structure of Ferric Chloride

Uses of Ferric chloride (FeCl₃)

• Ferric Chloride is used in organic synthesis as a catalyst.
• It is used to treat over-cropping of animal claws especially when the over-cropping leads to bleeding.
• It is used as a drying reagent in some reactions in its anhydrous form.
• It has wide applications in energy storage systems.

Preparation of Ferric chloride

Anhydrous iron (III) chloride can be prepared by reacting metallic iron with dichloride. The chemical equation for this reaction is provided below.

2Fe + 3Cl₂ → 2FeCl₃

Preparation of Ferric chloride Solution

1. By dissolving iron ore in HCl (hydrochloric acid)

Fe₃O₄ + 8HCl → FeCl₂ + 2FeCl₃ + 4H₂O

2. By oxidizing iron (II) chloride with chlorine (Cl)

2FeCl₂ + Cl₂ → 2FeCl₃

3. By oxidizing iron (II) chloride with oxygen

4FeCl₂ + O₂ + 4HCl → 4FeCl₃ + 2H₂O

Ferric chloride Test

This test is conducted to determine the presence or absence of phenol in a given sample. Compounds such as enols, hydroxamic acids, sulfinic acids, and oximes give positive results. The quantity of phenol in the sample can be measured by the Folin-Ciocalteau assay.

Step 1: Dissolve the sample in water plus ethanol.

Step 2: Add drops of a dilute solution of ferric chloride (FeCl₃).

Step 3: If the sample turns to red, green, purple, or blue colouration then it indicates the presence of phenols.

Step 4: In case the sample is insoluble in water, it can be dissolved in dichloromethane (CH₂Cl₂) with a small quantity of pyridine (C₅H₅N).

Learn more about the physical and chemical properties of Ferric Chloride (FeCl3) from the experts at BYJU’S.