| Used for sewerage treatment of industrial wastes, chloride hydrometallurgy (Silgarin process for the production of silicon), drinking water production, production of precursor for polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and copper-based metals in printed circuit boards. Iron (III) chloride is used as catalyst for the reaction of ethylene with chlorine, as a leaching agent, and as a drying reagent in certain reactions. It is a mild oxidizing agent and converts copper(I) chloride in to copper(II) chloride. As a moderately strong Lewis acid, it catalyzes chlorination of aromatic compounds and Friedel-Crafts reactions. Along with sodium iodide, it brings about reduction of organic azides to corresponding amines. It is useful in the detection of phenols and phenolic derivatives, gamma-hydroxybutyric acids, and also in Trinder spot test for detecting salicylic acids Synonyms: Iron(III) chloride, Iron trichloride, Ferric chloride, Molysite CAS No: 7705-08-0 Molecular Formula: FeCl3 Molecular Weight: 162.20 Appearance: Brown to dark brown crystalline powder Purity: 98% Melting Point: 306C Solubility: Freely soluble in methanol, ethanol, ether, and acetone. Storage and Stability: May be stored at RT for short-term only. Long-term storage is recommended at -20C. For maximum recovery of product, centrifuge the original vial prior to removing the cap. Note: Very sensitive to moisture and corrosive. Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents and forms explosive mixtures with sodium, and potassium. |
