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WHAT IS FERRIC CHLORIDE? Iron(III) chloride describes the inorganic compounds with the formula FeCl3(H2O)x. Also called ferric chloride, these compounds are available both in anhydrous and hydrated forms which are both hygroscopic. They are common sources of iron in its +3 oxidation state. The anhydrous derivative is a Lewis acid, while the hydrate is a mild oxidizing agent. It is used as a water cleaner and as an etchant for metals. In the largest application iron(III) chloride is used in sewage treatment and drinking water production as a coagulant and flocculant.[30] In this application, an aqueous solution of FeCl3 is treated with a base to form a floc of iron(III) hydroxide (Fe(OH)3), also formulated as FeO(OH) (ferrihydrite). This floc facilitates the separation of suspended materials, clarifying the water. Iron(III) chloride is also used to remove soluble phosphate from wastewater. Iron(III) phosphate is insoluble and thus precipitates as a solid. One potential advantage to its use in water treatment, ferric ion oxidizes (deodorizes) hydrogen sulfide. USES OF FERRIC CHLORIDE. Etching and metal cleaning It is also used as a leaching agent in chloride hydrometallurgy for example in the production of Si from FeSi (Silgrain process by Elkem). In another commercial application, a solution of iron(III) chloride is useful for etching copper according to the following equation: 2 FeCl3 + Cu ? 2 FeCl2 + CuCl2 The soluble copper(II) chloride is rinsed away, leaving a copper pattern. This chemistry is used in the production of printed circuit boards (PCB). Iron(III) chloride is used in many other hobbies involving metallic objects. Organic chemistry In industry, iron(III) chloride is used as a catalyst for the reaction of ethylene with chlorine, forming ethylene dichloride (1,2-dichloroethane): H2C=CH2 + Cl2 ? ClCH2CH2Cl Ethylene dichloride is a commodity chemical, which is mainly used for the industrial production of vinyl chloride, the monomer for making PVC. Several reagents for organic synthesis have been developed based especially on anhydrous iron(III) chloride: Ferric chloride on silica gel is a reagent that has high reactivity towards several oxygen-containing functional groups. When the reagent is dry, its acidity and high affinity for water lead to dehydration and pinacol-type rearrangement reactions. When the reagent is moistened, it instead induces hydrolysis or epimerization reactions. Ferric chloride on alumina is used to accelerate ene reactions. Ferric chloride in conjunction with NaI in acetonitrile solution reduces organic azides to primary amines. When mixed with sodium hydride, iron(III) chloride gives a hydride-reducing reducing agent. This reagent has been shown to convert alkenes and ketones into alkanes and alcohols, respectfully. As a reagent in organic chemistry, iron(III) chloride has attracted interest for both its redox activity and its Lewis acidity. Furthermore, because they are inexpensive and relatively nontoxic, iron chlorides have been widely examined. Illustrating its use as a Lewis acid, iron(III) chloride catalyzes electrophilic aromatic substitution and chlorinations. In this role, its function is similar to that of aluminum chloride. In some cases, mixtures of the two are used. Iron(III) chloride oxidizes naphthols to naphthoquinones: Histology Iron(III) chloride is a component of useful stains, such as Carnoy's solution, a histological fixative with many applications. Also, it is used to prepare Verhoeff's stain.

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