Precipitates and Complexes of Iron (III)
Description: A series of reagents is added to ferric ion to form various precipitates and complex ions of increasing stability. The colors are striking: purple, red-brown, yellow, deep red, deep blue, as well as colorless.
Source: Shakhashiri, B.Z. Chemical Demonstrations: A Handbook for Teachers of Chemistry
Year: 1983 Vol: 1 Page: 339
Keywords: Iron (III), Spectrochemical series, Ligands, Stability, Solubility, Complexation
Ratings: 
Hazard: High
- Electrical shock hazard
- Acute toxicity hazard – oral, dermal, inhalation
- Skin corrosion hazard
- Corrosive to metals
- Specific organ toxicity – kidneys, liver, blood, GI system, respiratory system
- Acute aquatic toxicity hazard
- Can form poisonous gases when acidified
Effectiveness: Good
- Results are clearly observable without guidance
- Good connection from demo to course material
- Clear contrasts between systems behavior
- Good reliability
- Time to results is medium
- Mild effects are seen by audience
Difficulty: High
- Multi-steps procedures with varying results depending on order of reaction
- Some sequential manipulations
- Use of highly toxic reagents
- Sensitive to additions of reagents in previous steps
Safety Precautions:
- Gloves are required
- Eye protection required
- Use of UL approved three-prong outlet required
- Absorbent materials on hand
- Perform in well-ventilated area
- Avoid exposure to mists, dusts and gases
- Prevent release of reagents to the environment
Class: Aqueous Equilibrium Precipitations, Transition Metal Chemistry
Division: General, Inorganic Chemistry
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