Iron(II) sulfate heptahydrate (FeSO4•7H2O)- Powder

Characteristic

Iron(II) sulfate or ferrous sulfate denotes a range of salts with the formula FeSO₄·xH₂O. These compounds exist most commonly as the heptahydrate (x = 7) but are known for several values of x. the blue-green heptahydrate (hydrate with 7 molecules of water) is the most common form of this material. All the iron(II) sulfates dissolve in water to give the same aquo complex [Fe(H₂O)₆]²⁺, which has octahedral molecular geometry and is paramagnetic.

Chemical formula:FeSO₄

Molar mass:278.02 g/mol (heptahydrate)

Appearance:Blue-green crystals (heptahydrate)

Odor:Odorless

Density:1.895 g/cm3 (heptahydrate)

Melting point:60–64 °C (140–147 °F; 333–337 K)(heptahydrate)decomposes

Solubility in water:Monohydrate:15.65 g/100 mL (0 °C);20.5 g/100 mL (10 °C);29.51 g/100 mL (25 °C);39.89 g/100 mL (40.1 °C);51.35 g/100 mL (54 °C)

Solubility:Negligible in alcohol;Solubility in ethylene glycol 6.4 g/100 g (20 °C)

Vapor pressure:1.95 kPa (heptahydrate)

Magnetic susceptibility (χ):1.12×10−2 cm3/mol (heptahydrate);+10200×10−6 cm3/mol

Refractive index (nD):1.471 (heptahydrate)

Crystal structure:Monoclinic

Application

Iron(II) sulfate heptahydrate is used as a precursor to prepare other iron compounds such as a lawn conditioner and a mordant for wool dyeing. It is actively used in the manufacture of ink including iron gall ink. As a reducing agent, it participates in the reduction of chromate in cement. It is also used in industrial water treatment plants to remove phosphate. It is also used in the gold refining process to precipitate metallic gold. Woodworkers use aqueous solutions of ferrous sulfate to color maple wood a silvery hue. It finds application in the treatment of iron chlorosis, which arises due to deficiency of iron in horticulture.