Ferric nitrate Supplier Manufacturer Kolkata India

Iron(III) nitrate, or ferric nitrate, is the chemical compound with the formula Fe(NO3)3. Since it is deliquescent, it is commonly found in its nonahydrate form Fe(NO3)3·9H2O in which it forms colourless to pale violet crystals. When dissolved, it forms yellow solution due to hydrolysis.

Preparation

The compound is prepared by treating iron metal powder with nitric acid.

Fe + 4 HNO3 → Fe(NO3)3 + NO + 2 H2O.

Applications

In the chemical laboratory

Ferric nitrate is the catalyst of choice for the synthesis of sodium amide from a solution of sodium in ammonia:

2 NH3 + 2 Na → 2 NaNH2 + H2

Certain clays impregnated with ferric nitrate have been shown to be useful oxidants in organic synthesis. For example, ferric nitrate on Montmorillonite—a reagent called "Clayfen"—has been employed for the oxidation of alcohols to aldehydes and thiols to disulfides.

Other applications

Ferric nitrate solutions are used by jewelers and metalsmiths to etch silver and silver alloys.