When iron interacts with chlorine, iron chloride (3) is formed, and when iron reacts with
When iron interacts with chlorine, iron chloride (3) is formed, and when iron reacts with hydrochloric acid, ferric chloride is obtained (2) .Write the chemical equations of these reactions and explain why iron chlorides of different compositions are formed
1. Let us write down the equation of the reaction in which iron (III) chloride is formed:
2Fe + 3Cl2 = 2FeCl3 (ferric chloride).
2. Let us write down the equation for the reaction of obtaining iron (II) chloride:
Fe + 2HCl = FeCl2 + H2 ↑.
In the first case, chlorine acts as an oxidizing agent, which is a strong oxidizing agent; therefore, the oxidation state of iron is higher +3. In the second case, hydrochloric acid is a less strong oxidizing agent; therefore, iron exhibits an oxidation state of +2. This explains the obtained iron chlorides of different compositions.