What is Ferric ammonium sulphate molecular weight and its properties

Ferric ammonium sulphate molecular weight is 768.81 g/mol. Ferric ammonium sulphate is an inorganic compound. It is colorless due to the absence of hydrogen ion. The molecular weight of this compound is 768.81 g/mol and its atomic mass is 160 g/mol and its monatomic form has 3+2 valence configuration with two positive charge sites on each of the atoms, hence it has total 6+6 electrons in its outer shells. Its empirical formula, as given by its standard chemical formula, would be Fe(HSO₄)₃.(H₂O). The hydroxide ion here serves as the central atom and HSO₄^- converts into water when heated at 212 degrees Celsius.

Properties of ferric ammonium sulphate molecular

1. The compound is high melting in nature.

It melts at 212 degrees Celsius. Once ferric ammonium sulphate is heated to higher temperatures, it decomposes into ferric oxide and sulfur trioxide. At 800 degree Celsius, ferric ammonium sulphate converts to ammonium thiocyanate. It loses water to form the corresponding salt. This is due to ferric ammonium sulphate molecular weight.

2.This compound reacts with metals like sodium and potassium.

It reacts with sodium to generate pink color of sodium ferricyanide when passed through a solution of aqueous sodium hydroxide under ambient conditions. It also reacts with potassium and nickel where it is observed that the compound does not dissociate into its ions, but molecules of ferric ammonium sulphate, hence indicating that these compounds are good solvents for this particular compound too. Ferric ammonium sulphate has been used as an oxidising agent in various reactions like the synthesis of trimethylamine oxide from hexamethylenetetramine and potassium permanganate and even in nitration reactions. It also forms an important intermediate in the synthesis of dicyclohexylphosphor-brimane.

3.The compound is a good oxidising agent itself.

It is used as an oxidising agent in various reactions such as nitration, oxychlorination of alcohol, oxidation of catechol to catechol peroxide and many others. It has been used in the production of ferric oxide when it is reacted with potassium hydroxide solution to generate Fe(OH)₃.

4. It is a highly poisonous compound.

The compound is highly toxic to the human body, hence should be handled with utmost care. The symptoms of exposure to the compound may involve irritation in the eyes and respiratory tracts, causing pain, coughing and a burning sensation in the nose, mouth and throat. The exposure to excess of ferric ammonium sulphate can also cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea as well as dizziness and headache.

5. It is soluble in water.

Ferric ammonium sulphate salts are prepared from the reaction of ferric nitrate and ammonia as well as ferric hydroxide and ammonia or by treating triethylene tetramine with aqueous ammonia solution. It can also be obtained by passing hydrogen sulphide gas through a solution of iron(III) chloride or by reacting ammonium chloride with copper (II) sulphate.

6. The compound has a high redox potential.

Its redox potential is 1.94 volts compared to potassium ferricyanide which has 1.87 volts. This means that ferric ammonium sulphate is more potent as an oxidising agent compared to potassium ferricyanide. The reduction potential of the compound is greater than the oxygen molecule so it decomposes very easily in presence of oxygen.

7. It has a higher boiling point

Ferric ammonium sulphate has a boiling point of 37 degrees Celsius. This means that the compound melts at lower temperature compared to potassium ferricyanide which melts at 212 degrees Celsius. It is also soluble in water and it is more stable than potassium ferricyanide.

8. It is more expensive and toxic than potassium ferricyanide.

The compound is more costly than potassium ferricyanide since it is a more potent oxidising agent and hence used less frequently in industrial applications. The toxicity of the compound is higher than potassium ferricyanide so it must be handled appropriately to avoid any accidents. Workers should wear protective equipment like gloves, goggles, masks as well as clothing that covers most of the body to reduce the contact with the skin and inhalation of vapours or dusts.

9. The compound is harder to detect when compared to potassium ferricyanide

Ferric ammonium sulphate being a less soluble compound and also having a low melting point of 37 degrees Celsius, it is easier to detect when dissolved in water or acid. However, the compound has very low detection levels so it is almost undetectable.

10. It does not react with nitric acid or air but decomposes with water.

Ferric ammonium sulphate does not react with either nitric acid or air but reacts with water to form pink Fe(III) hydroxide (ferric hydroxide), yellow ferrous hydroxide and white sulfur trioxide (SO₃).

In conclusion, ferric ammonium sulphate molecular weight is 768.81 g/mol. It is a more potent oxidising agent compared to potassium ferricyanide and is also toxic to humans. The compound can be dissolved in water or acid so it can be detected easily but has very low detection levels, hence easily lost and hence harder to detect in a solution. Ferric ammonium sulphate decomposes into ferric hydroxide, ferrous hydroxide and sulfur trioxide when reacted with water.