Difference between revisions of "Iron(II,III) oxide"
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===Relevant Sciencemadness threads=== | ===Relevant Sciencemadness threads=== | ||
| + | *[https://www.sciencemadness.org/whisper/viewthread.php?tid=2262 Fe3O4] | ||
| + | *[http://www.sciencemadness.org/talk/viewthread.php?tid=3313 Sintering Fe3O4 powder?] | ||
[[Category:Chemical compounds]] | [[Category:Chemical compounds]] | ||
Revision as of 12:40, 12 August 2015
Iron(II,III) oxide, also known as ferrous ferric oxide, magnetite, black iron oxide, is an iron oxide with the chemical formula Fe3O4.
Contents
Properties
Chemical
Magnitite can be calcinated in air to yield iron(III) oxide:
- 2Fe3O4 + ½ O2 → 3 Fe2O3
Physical
Iron(II,III) oxide is a black compound, insoluble in water. It is ferrimagnetic and an electrical conductor.
Availability
Black iron oxide is available as pigment in pottery shops and can be cheaply purchased.
Preparation
There are several ways to prepare magnetite. One method involves the reduction of nitrobenzene with iron and water, in the presence of iron(II) chloride, process that reduces the nitrobenzene to aniline. It can also be done by precipitating iron(II) salts as hydroxides, then carefully oxidizing the resulting iron(II) hydroxide at controlled pH.
Black iron oxide can also be prepared by oxidizing iron(II) hydroxide with water, in an oxygen-free medium.
- 3 Fe(OH)2 → Fe3O4 + H2 + 2 H2O
This process is known as Schikorr reaction.
Projects
- Thermite
Handling
Safety
Black iron oxide is not particularly toxic, unless large amounts are consumed.
Storage
It should be stored in closed containers, away from acidic vapors.
Disposal
As iron(II,III) oxide occurs naturally, it is not harmful to the environment and can be useful as an iron supplement for soil.
