What is Iron(II) chloride?
[[File:Iron(II) chloride.svg|thumb|Iron(II) chloride structure]] '''Iron(II) chloride''', also known as '''ferrous chloride''', is a [[chemical compound]]. It is made of [[iron]] and [[chloride]] [[ion]]s. The iron is in its +2 [[oxidation state]]. ==Properties== It is grayish-white when [[anhydrous]] and greenish when hydrated. It is [[oxidation|oxidized]] by [[oxygen]] to a mixture of [[iron(III) chloride]] and [[iron(III) oxide]], which are brown-yellow. It dissolves in water to make a yellowish-green solution. It is a [[reducing agent]]. It reacts with [[base (chemistry)|bases]] to make greenish [[iron(II) hydroxide]]. ==Preparation== It is made by dissolving iron in [[hydrochloric acid]]. It can also be made by reacting iron with [[iron(III) chloride]]. Some other reducing agents react with iron(III) chloride to make iron(II) chloride. ==Uses== It does not have common uses. [[Iron(II) sulfate]] and [[iron(III) chloride]] are used more often. It is used in treating [[wastewater]]. It can be used as a reducing agent in [[organic chemistry]]. ==Related pages== *[[Iron(II) oxide]] *[[Iron(III) oxide]] *[[Cobalt(II) chloride]] *[[Copper(II) chloride]] [[Category:Iron compounds]] [[Category:Chlorine compounds]]