Iron(II) acetate explained

Iron(II) acetate describes compounds with formula where x can be 0 (anhydrous) or 4 (tetrahydrate). The anhydrous compound is a white solid, although impure samples can be slightly colored.^[1] The tetrahydrate is light green solid that is highly soluble in water.

Preparation and structure

Iron powder reacts with acetic acid to give the ferrous acetate, with evolution of hydrogen gas:^[2]

Fe + 2 CH₃CO₂H → Fe(CH₃CO₂)₂ + H₂Reaction of scrap iron with acetic acid affords a brown mixture of various iron(II) and iron(III) acetates that are used in dyeing.

It can also be made from the insoluble, olive green, Iron(II) carbonate.

It adopts a polymeric structure with octahedral Fe(II) centers interconnected by acetate ligands. It is a coordination polymer.

Uses

Ferrous acetate is used as a mordant by the dye industry. Ebonizing wood is one such process.^[3]

Notes and References

1. 10.1002/zaac.201000274. Crystal Structure of Iron(II) Acetate. 2011. Weber. Birgit. Betz. Richard. Bauer. Wolfgang. Schlamp. Stephan. Zeitschrift für anorganische und allgemeine Chemie. 637. 102–107.
2. Web site: Synthesis of Iron(II) acetate hydrate (ferrous acetate) . 2009-01-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130825122529/http://www.ims.demokritos.gr/people/tbou/iron_acetate.html . 2013-08-25 . dead .
3. http://www.wwgoa.com/ebonizing-wood/ Ebonizing Wood with Ferric Acetate