Characteristic

Iron(III) nitrate, or ferric nitrate, is the chemical compound with the formula Fe(NO₃)₃. Since it is deliquescent, it is commonly found in its nonahydrate form Fe(NO₃)₃·9H₂O, in which it forms colourless to pale violet crystals. When dissolved, it forms yellow solution due to hydrolysis.

Chemical formula:Fe(NO₃)₃

Molar mass:403.999 g/mol (nonahydrate);241.86 g/mol (anhydrous)

Appearance:Pale violet crystals;hygroscopic

Density:1.68 g/cm³ (hexahydrate);1.6429 g/cm3(nonahydrate)

Melting point:47.2 °C (117.0 °F; 320.3 K) (nonahydrate)

Boiling point:125 °C (257 °F; 398 K) (nonahydrate)

Solubility in water:150 g/100 mL (hexahydrate)

Solubility:soluble in alcohol, acetone

Magnetic susceptibility (χ):+15,200.0·10−6 cm³/mol

Coordination geometry:octahedral

Application

It is used as catalyst for the synthesis of sodium amide from sodium and ammonia, and for etching of silver and silver alloys. Ferric nitrate is used in the synthesis of organically templated iron phosphates, and acts as an efficient catalyst in enamination of beta dicarbonyl compounds to beta enaminones. Ferric nitrate impregnated clays are useful as oxidizing agents. Clayfen, produced from ferric nitrate and montmorillonite, is used for the oxidation of thiols to disulfide, and alcohols to aldehydes. Ferric nitrate is useful for regio- and stereo-selective nitration of various aromatic, aliphatic, and heteroaromatic olefins. This reaction provides nitroolefins with excellent E-selectivity. With Keggin-type heteropoly acids, it selectively oxidizes various hydroxy groups.