Iron(II) acetate describes compounds with formula where x can be 0 (anhydrous) or 4 (tetrahydrate). The anhydrous compound is a white solid, although impure samples can be slightly colored. The tetrahydrate is a light green solid that is highly soluble in water.
Structure
Iron(II) acetate adopts a polymeric structure with octahedral Fe(II) centers interconnected by acetate ligands. It is a coordination polymer.
Preparation Iron powder reacts with acetic acid to give the ferrous acetate, with evolution of hydrogen gas: Fe + 2 CH3CO2H → Fe(CH3CO2)2 + H2 Reaction of scrap iron with acetic acid affords a brown mixture of various iron(II) and iron(III) acetates that are used in dyeing.
It can also be made from the insoluble, olive green, Iron(II) carbonate.
Uses Ferrous acetate is used as a mordant by the dye industry. Ebonizing wood is one such process.Ebonizing Wood with Ferric Acetate
References