Question

Give the balanced equations for reactions of aqueous ammonia with the following:

Iron(III) chloride

Answer 1

Reaction with iron(III) chloride $\left({\mathrm{FeCl}}_3\right)$:

• When ammonium hydroxide $\left({\mathrm{NH}}_4\mathrm{OH}\right)$ is treated with iron(III) chloride solution $\left({\mathrm{FeCl}}_3\right)$, it produces a reddish brown precipitate of ferric hydroxide $\mathrm{Fe}{\left(\mathrm{OH}\right)}_3$, which is insoluble in excess of ${\mathrm{NH}}_4\mathrm{Cl}$.
• One mole of iron(III) chloride solution reacts with three moles of ammonium hydroxide to form one mole of ferric hydroxide and three moles of ${\mathrm{NH}}_4\mathrm{Cl}$.

The balanced chemical equation is:${\mathbf{FeCl}}_{\mathbf{3}}\mathbf{\left(}\mathbf{aq}\mathbf{\right)}\mathbf{+}\mathbf{3}{\mathbf{NH}}_{\mathbf{4}}\mathbf{OH}\mathbf{\left(}\mathbf{aq}\mathbf{\right)}\mathbf{⟶}\mathbf{Fe}\mathbf{(}\mathbf{OH}{\mathbf{)}}_{\mathbf{3}}\mathbf{\left(}\mathbf{s}\mathbf{\right)}\mathbf{\downarrow }\mathbf{+}\mathbf{3}{\mathbf{NH}}_{\mathbf{4}}\mathbf{Cl}\mathbf{(}\mathbf{aq}\mathbf{)}$