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Fe₃O₄

Iron(II,III) oxide

IUPAC : Iron(II,III) oxide
OxideMineralIndustrialMineral/geological

The only naturally ferrimagnetic iron oxide. A historic iron ore and the first magnetic material known to humanity (Chinese compass). Inverse spinel structure with Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺.

3D ball-and-stick representation of Iron(II,III) oxide (formula Fe₃O₄). Constituent atoms: Fe, O.
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Physical properties

Molar mass231.533 g/mol
State at 20 °Csolid
Density5.17 g/cm³
Melting point1870.00 K (1597 °C)
Boiling point—
Solubility (H₂O)insoluble

Structure

Crystal systemCubic
3D render modeBall-and-stick

Uses and applications

  • Iron ore (steelmaking)
  • Black and brown pigments (paints, cosmetics)
  • Ferrofluids (industry, medicine, loudspeakers)
  • Nanoparticles for MRI (contrast agents)
  • Magnetic tapes and memories (historical)

Constituent elements

26Fe
Iron
8O
Oxygen

References

PubChem CID16211978
CAS1317-61-9
SMILES[Fe+2].[Fe+3].[Fe+3].[O-2].[O-2].[O-2].[O-2]
Sources : PubChem CID 16211978 · CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics