Title: Ferric Chloride
CAS Registry Number: 7705-08-0
Additional Names: Flores martis
Molecular Formula: Cl3Fe
Molecular Weight: 162.20
Percent Composition: Cl 65.57%, Fe 34.43%
Line Formula: FeCl3
Literature References: Occurs in nature as the mineral molysite. Prepn: Tarr, Inorg. Synth. 3, 191 (1950); Pray, ibid. 5, 153 (1957); Epperson et al., ibid. 7, 163 (1963); Lieser, Elias, Z. Anorg. Allg. Chem. 316, 208 (1962); Attwood, Shelton, J. Inorg. Nucl. Chem. 26, 1758 (1964); Bardawil et al., Inorg. Chem. 3, 149 (1964). Acute toxicity: C. S. Hosking, Aust. Paediatr. J. 6, 92 (1970). Use as clinical reagent: L. Cassidei et al., Clin. Chim. Acta 90, 121 (1978).
Properties: Hexagonal, dark leaflets or plates. Red by transmitted light, green by reflected light; sometimes appears brownish-black. Very hygroscopic. Melts and volatilizes about 300°; bp ~316°; d25 2.90. Vapor density measurements show that it is dimeric at about 400° but monomeric above 750°. Dissociates at high temps to FeCl2 and Cl2. Readily absorbs water in air to form the hexahydrate. Readily sol in water, alcohol, ether, acetone; slightly sol in CS2. Practically insol in ethyl acetate. Keep well closed.
Boiling point: bp ~316°
Density: d25 2.90
Derivative Type: Hexahydrate
Properties: Brownish-yellow or orange monoclinic crystals. d 1.82. Structure: trans-[FeCl2(H2O)4]Cl.2H2O: Lind, J. Chem. Phys. 47, 990 (1967). Usually slight odor of HCl; very hygroscopic. mp ~37°. Readily sol in water, alcohol, acetone, ether; pH of 0.1 molar aq soln 2.0. Keep well closed. LD50 i.v. in mice: 0.049 mg Fe/g (Hosking).
Melting point: mp ~37°
Density: d 1.82
Toxicity data: LD50 i.v. in mice: 0.049 mg Fe/g (Hosking)
CAUTION: Potential symptoms of overexposure are irritation of eyes, skin, mucous membranes; abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting; possible liver damage. See NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards (DHHS/NIOSH 97-140, 1997) p 174.
Use: In photoengraving; photography; manuf of other Fe salts, pigments, ink; as catalyst in organic reactions; purifying factory effluents and deodorizing sewage; chlorination of Ag and Cu ores; as mordant in dyeing and printing textiles; oxidizing agent in dye manuf. Clinical reagent (amino acids in urine, esp in phenylketonuria).
Therap-Cat: Hexahydrate as astringent, styptic.
Therap-Cat-Vet: Styptic, astringent.
Keywords: Astringent. |