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Iron(III) Sulfide

Iron(iii) sulfide also called ferric sulfide or iron sesquisulfide is one of the members of iron(3+) sulfides with IUPAC name iron(3+) trisulfide and chemical formula Fe2S3 [1, 2]. It is a relatively unstable artificial black solid that decomposes and turns into a yellow-green powder at room temperature [2].

Iron(III) Sulfide Identification

CAS Number 12063-27-3 [1]
PubChem CID 160957 [1]
ChemSpider ID 141408 [3]
EC Number 234-367-5 [1]
ChEBI ID CHEBI:75899 [2]
InChI Key KAEAMHPPLLJBKF-UHFFFAOYSA-N [1]

Iron(iii) Sulfide Formula

Composition and Synthesis

It is produced by the addition of cooled iron(iii) chloride solution to refrigerated sodium sulfide solution, as represented by the following equation:

2FeCl3 + 3Na2S → Fe2S3 + 6NaCl

It can also be synthesized as a by-product of desulfurization of hydrogen sulfide gas that is passed through hydrated iron(iii) oxide:

Fe2O3 + 3H2S + H2O → Fe2S3 + 4H2O

Iron(iii) Sulfide

 

Reaction with Hydrogen Chloride

It undergoes a decomposition reaction when combined with hydrochloric acid [4]:

Fe2S3 + 4HCl → 2FeCl2 + 2H2S + S

Properties and Characteristics of Iron(III) Sulfide

General Properties

Molar Mass/Molecular Weight 207.87 g/mol [1]

Physical Properties

Color and Appearance Turns into yellowish-green powder at room temperature [5]
Melting Point Decomposes
Boiling Point N/A [5]
Density 4.3 g cm-3 [5]
State of matter at room temperature Solid [1]
Solubility Moderately soluble in acids
Solubility in Water Very slightly soluble in water [1]

Use

As a source of sulfur and iron(ii) sulfide during the decay of ferric sulfide at room temperature (about 20 °C).

    References

  1. Iron Sesquisulfide – Homework.study.com
  2. CHEBI:75899 – Iron(3+) Sulfide – Ebi.ac.uk
  3. Iron(3+) Sulfide (2:3) – Chemspider.com
  4. Chemical Equation Balancer – Chemicalaid.com
  5. Ferric Sulfide – Americanelements.com

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