4032. Ferric Sulfate

Nomenclature

CAS number: 10028-22-5
Ferric persulfate; ferric sesquisulfate; ferric tersulfate.
Fe2O12S3; mol wt 399.88.
Fe 27.93%, O 48.01%, S 24.06%.
Fe2(SO4)3.

Description and references

Prepn: Gmelins, Iron (8th ed.) 59, part B, 439-462 (1932).

Properties

Grayish-white powder, or rhombic or rhombohedral crystals. Very hygroscopic. Commercial product usually contains about 20% water and is yellowish in color. d18 3.097. Slowly sol in water, rapidly sol in the presence of a trace of FeSO4; sparingly sol in alcohol; practically insol in acetone, ethyl acetate. Hydrolyzed slowly in aq soln. Keep well closed and protected from light.

Caution

Potential symptoms of overexposure are irritation of eyes, skin, mucous membranes; abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting; liver damage. See NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards (DHHS/NIOSH 97-140, 1997) p 174.

Use

In preparation of iron alums, other iron salts and pigments; as coagulant in water purification and sewage treatment; in etching aluminum; in pickling stainless steel and copper; as mordant in textile dyeing and calico printing; in soil conditioners; as polymerization catalyst.