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Question

How does ammonium hydroxide react to distinguish FeCl2 solution from FeCl3 solution?


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Solution

Part 1:- Reaction of Ammonium hydroxide and FeCl2

  1. FeCl2(aq)Iron(II)chloride+2NH4OH(aq)Ammoniumhydroxide2NH4Cl(aq)Ammoniumsulphate+Fe(OH)2(s)()Iron(II)hydroxide
  2. When Ammonium hydroxide is added to Ferrous sulphate a “dirty green precipitate” is formed.
  3. This ppt slowly changes to reddish-brown after some time and is insoluble in excess Ammonium hydroxide.

Part 2:-Reaction of Ammonium hydroxide and FeCl3

  1. FeCl3(aq)Iron(III)chloride+3NH4OH(aq)Ammoniumhydroxide3NH4Cl(aq)Ammoniumsulphate+Fe(OH)3(s)()Iron(III)hydroxide
  2. When Ammonium hydroxide is introduced to an aqueous solution of Iron III chloride, it produces a "reddish-brown precipitate" of Iron (III) hydroxide as well as Ammonium chloride.
  3. The crucial thing to remember is that the 'reddish-brown precipitate' of Iron (III) hydroxide is insoluble in excess Ammonium hydroxide.

Therefore, When NH4OH is added to Iron (II) chloride we observe that a dirty green ppt is formed slowly turns reddish-brown after some time which is insoluble in excess Ammonium hydroxide, whereas on the other hand when NH4OH is added to Iron (III) chloride we observe that a "reddish-brown precipitate" of Ferric hydroxide is formed which is insoluble in excess Ammonium hydroxide.


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