Iron (II) Sulfate Formula

Iron (II) sulfate, also known as ferrous sulfate, green vitriol, melanterite, is an inorganic salt that has been used for many centuries as a colorant agent. Today it is more used as a medical supplement of iron.

Formula and structure: The iron (II) sulfate chemical formula is FeSO₄. The molar mass is 151.91 g/mol. This salt is found in a broad range of hydrated salts with the formula FeSO₄.xH₂O, while the most widely used is the heptahydrate iron (II) sulfate FeSO₄.7H₂O with the molar mass of 278.02 g/mol. The mono-, penta- e hexahydrate salts are also largely used. The molecule dehydrate es formed by one cation ferrous Fe²⁺ and one sulfate anion SO₄^2-. Its chemical structure can be written as below, in the common representations used for organic molecules.

Occurrence: Iron (II) sulfate can be found in nature. It is always found in the form of hydrate salts and it is present in minerals as Szomolnokite (monohydrate), Rozenite (tetrahydrate), Siderotil (pentahydrate) and others. The dehydrate form is obtained after desiccation of the hydrate salts.

Preparation: Iron (II) sulfate can be prepared commercially from the reaction of metallic iron with sulfuric acid in a reaction that emits hydrogen gas as a side product, so should be performed carefully:

Fe + H₂SO₄ → FeSO₄ + H₂

Iron (II) sulfate can also be prepared from the oxidation of the mineral pyrite (FeS₂) in air producing as a side-product sulfuric acid:

2 FeS₂ + 7 O₂ + 2 H₂O → 2 FeSO₄ + 2 H₂SO₄

Physical properties: Iron (II) sulfate is a crystalline solid, but the color changes according to the degree of hydratation; for example: the anhydrous salt is white, while the heptahydrate salt is bright green. The density also varies according to the hydratation of the salt, being 3.65 g/mL for the anhydrous and 1.89 g/mL for the heptahydrate salt. The melting point is 680 and 64 °C for the anhydrous and the heptahydrate forms and above the melting point, both decompose. All the forms of the iron (II) sulfate are highly soluble in water

Chemical properties: Iron (II) sulfate is a reducing agent that can be used in laboratories to catalysts some reactions. It can act reducing some compounds as the chlorine gas to form useful iron salts. For example:

6 FeSO₄ + 3 Cl₂ → 2 Fe₂(SO₄)₃ + 2 FeCl₃

It can also be used to produce iron oxides from heating the salt to high temperatures:

2 FeSO₄ → Fe₂O₃ + SO₂ + SO₃

Uses: Iron (II) sulfate is used as a treatment in medicine against the iron deficiency. Iron (II) sulfate can also be used as a supplement by the food industry to supply the products with the required amounts of iron. It is also used in the production of other iron compounds. The salt is also used as a reducing agent and as a preservative for wood. Since the ancient times, the iron (II) sulfate heptahydrate has been used as a dye and for producing vitrals art due to its bright green color.

Health effects / safety hazards: Iron (II) sulfate is dangerous if swallowed in high concentrations. It can cause skin and eye irritation. It is not flammable.