Characteristic

 

Iron(II) chloride, also known as ferrous chloride, is the chemical compound of formula FeCl₂. It is a paramagnetic solid with a high melting point.

Chemical formula：FeCl₂•4H₂O

Molar mass：198.8102 g/mol 

Appearance：Pale green solid

Density：1.93 g/cm³ 

Melting point：105 °C 

Solubility in water：64.4 g/100 mL (10 °C);68.5 g/100 mL (20 °C);105.7 g/100 mL (100 °C)

Solubility in THF：Soluble

log P：−0.15

Magnetic susceptibility (χ)：+14750·10⁻⁶ cm³/mol

Crystal structure:Monoclinic

 

Application

 

Iron(II) chloride tetrahydrate is used as a reducing agent in metallurgy, in pharmaceutical preparations, as a mordant in dyeing and in sewage treatment. Ferrous chloride has a kind of niche application. During the laboratory synthesis of iron complexes, ferrous chloride acts as a reducing flocculating agent in waste water treatment, particularly for wastes containing chromate. It is the precursor to hydrated iron(III) oxides that are magnetic pigments. Ferrous chloride is employed as a reducing agent in many organic synthesis reactions.