Iron(II) acetate describes compounds with formula Fe(CH3CO2)2·(H2O)x 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:[5][1]
Fe + 2 CH3CO2H → Fe(CH3CO2)2 + H2
Reaction of scrap iron with acetic acid affords a brown mixture of various iron(II) and iron(III) acetates that are used in dyeing.[6]
Ferrous acetate is used as a mordant by the dye industry. Ebonizing wood is one such process.[7]
References
^ a b c d e fWeber, Birgit; Betz, Richard; Bauer, Wolfgang; Schlamp, Stephan (2011). "Crystal Structure of Iron(II) Acetate". Zeitschrift für anorganische und allgemeine Chemie. 637: 102–107. doi:10.1002/zaac.201000274.