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FeCl₃

Iron(III) chloride

IUPAC : Iron(III) chloride
HalideSaltIndustrialLaboratory

A powerful Lewis acid used as a catalyst in organic chemistry (Friedel-Crafts reactions), a coagulant in water treatment and an etchant for printed circuit boards.

3D ball-and-stick representation of Iron(III) chloride (formula FeCl₃). Constituent atoms: Fe, Cl.
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Physical properties

Molar mass162.204 g/mol
State at 20 °Csolid
Density2.898 g/cm³
Melting point580.50 K (307 °C)
Boiling point588.00 K (315 °C)
Solubility (H₂O)91.2 g/100 mL à 20 °C

Structure

Crystal system—
3D render modeBall-and-stick

Uses and applications

  • Wastewater treatment (coagulant, flocculation)
  • Printed circuit board (PCB) etching
  • Friedel-Crafts catalyst in organic chemistry
  • Phenol test in analytical chemistry (violet colour)
  • Iron(II) chloride production

Safety (GHS)

GHS05 · CorrosiveGHS07 · Harmful / irritant
H statements : H302, H314

Corrosive and harmful if swallowed. Stains skin yellow-brown.

Constituent elements

26Fe
Iron
17Cl
Chlorine

References

PubChem CID24380
CAS7705-08-0
SMILES[Fe+3].[Cl-].[Cl-].[Cl-]
Sources : PubChem CID 24380 · CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics