jenijjun
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Types of iron for reduction
Greetings fellow experimenters, I've read about uses of iron in organic synthesis, namely reductions. It is more used electrolytical iron, but what
about other types of production?
Does it matter in the end? Could be electrolytical iron substituted for pentacarbonyl iron powder or iron made by gas reduction?
Thanks for any input
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zed
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Umm. Some of the guys claim "Steel Wool" works pretty well.
These reductions are sometimes described as "dissolving metal"
reductions. And, I've read some bulky papers on the subject.
None-the-less, my understanding of the subject remains murky.
Sometimes these reductions work stunningly well, and sometimes not.
In a clinch, I would try using either Steel Wool, or Iron filings.
Electrolytic Iron, is a hard to find, expensive material. Steel Wool, I can buy fairly cheaply at my local hardware store. Just about a mile from my
home.
Steel Nails, grindings or filings, might be cheaper still.
I'd try 'em out.
Though, I must defer to those that have more experience.
[Edited on 6-10-2021 by zed]
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macckone
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If you need something more reactive than steel wool, the next step up is going to be 'hand warmers'.
They usually contain a salt as well as iron to act as a catalyst.
Depending on the reaction this may not be a problem.
Finally there is pyrophoric iron from iron oxalate.
Which is easy to make if you have access to oxalic acid (wood bleach or rhubarb or certain cleaning products)
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unionised
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One suggestion is boring(s).
https://cameochemicals.noaa.gov/chemical/19058
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Fantasma4500
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iron oxalate decomposes into pyrophoric iron dust or FeO (which on itself is a reducing agent)
iirc around 300*C, you may mix this up with some inert chemical to keep it from reacting with oxygen
as for reduction, i recall hearing electrolysis using glucose electrolyte forms at the cathode single hydrogen, and ive seen vague hints of this
happening even in NaCl electrolysis, where i had some Cu(OH)2 rubbed on cathode and it immediatedly turned into Cu metal
i vaguely remember them calling it uncle festers reaction or similar, i cant remember if it requested specific electrodes- i mean, platinum is never a
bad thing is it?
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