Chemistry - Iron

Introduction

• Iron is the most common element found in largely in outer as well inner core of the earth.

• The symbol of iron is ‘Fe’ and atomic number is ‘26.’

• Iron is one of the earliest known elements that is being used by human beings.

Salient Features of Iron

• Following are the major features of iron −

  • Pure iron element is soft, ductile, and malleable.

  • The boiling point of iron ranges between 1533⁰C and 2450⁰C.

  • Iron easily gets attracted towards magnet.

  • In dry air, iron remains inactive and does not react (with air); however, in moist air, it reacts and forms rust.

  • Pure iron normally does not react with pure water; however, it reacts easily with ordinary of polluted water and rust forms.

  • Iron reacts with halogen and Sulphur to form halide and sulphide accordingly.

Occurrence of Iron

• The inner and outer cores of the earth are largely made up of iron and nickel.

• Most likely, iron is the most abundantly available element of the earth; however, it is the fourth most abundantly available element of the crust.

Types of Iron

• Following are the major types iron −

  • Hematite - Fe₂O₃

  • Magnetite - Fe₃O₄

  • Siderite - FeCO₃

Compounds of Iron

• Following are the major compounds of iron −

  • Iron (II) oxide - FeO

  • Iron (III) chloride - FeCl₃

  • Iron (III) oxide-hydroxide - Fe(OH)₃

  • Iron (II) sulfide - FeS

  • Iron (II) chloride - FeCl₂

  • Iron phosphate - FePO₄

  • Ferrate (VI) - (FeO₄)^2-

  • Iron (II) acetate - Fe(C₂H₃O₂)₂

  • Iron (III) sulfide - Fe₂S₃

  • Iron (III) chromate - Fe₂(CrO₄)₃

  • Iron (II) hydroxide - Fe(OH)₂

  • Iron (III) acetate - C₁₄H₂₇Fe₃O

  • Iron (II) oxalate - FeC₂O₄

  • Iron (II) fluride - FeF₂

Uses of Iron

• Among all the metals, iron is most widely used (about 90 percent of world’s total metal production).

• In most of the heavy industries, iron is the most essential element.

• Industries like railway, ship building, automobile, engineering construction, etc., everywhere, iron is essentially required.