Iron Compounds
Objectives:
In this investigation, you will


Prepare several iron compounds, and
Write formulas for these compounds
Materials
2 - 100 mL beakers
10 mL acetic acid
Graduated cylinder
steel wool
Test tube
2 mL hydrogen peroxide
Stirring rod
15 mL ammonia
Hot plate
tannic acid (from tea)
Procedures
1. Obtain a piece of steel wool about the size of a marble and place it in a 100 mL beaker.
Add 10 mL of concentrated acetic acid and 15 mL of distilled water to the beaker
containing the steel wool. Bring the acid solution to a boil, and then reduce the heat.
Keep it hot for 3 minutes. (DO NOT BREATH THE FUMES!)
This solution is your stock solution
Record your observations.
2. Remove 5 mL of the stock solution from the beaker and place it in a test tube. Add 1 mL
of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to the test tube. You have just prepared iron(III)acetate.
Record your observations and write the formula.
3. Place the contents of the test tube from procedure 2 in a small beaker. Add 5 mL of tea,
containing tannic acid, to the iron (III) acetate solution. Continue adding 5 mL portions
of the tea until a change is noted (Look for precipitation as small black specks) The
solution in the beaker now contains iron (III) tannate.
Record your observations (You do not need to write the formula for this one).
4. Remove 5 mL of the original stock solution from step 1 and place it in the test tube.
Slowly add 15 mL of concentrated ammonia solution. The solution in the test tube is
iron(II) hydroxide. (You will be using this is step 5).
Record your observations and write the formula.
5. Add 1 mL of H2O2 to the iron (II) hydroxide from step 4. Stir the contents of the test
tube with a clean stirring rod. The test tube now contains iron (III) hydroxide.
Record your observations and write the formula.
Lab write up
I.
II.
Purpose
Results – Data Table
III.
Conclusion –
A. Write the names and formulas of the substance formed in steps 2-5
Step 2 ___________________________
Step 3 ___________________________ (name only)
Step 4 ___________________________
Step 5 ___________________________
B.You have observed 4 characteristics that chemists use to decide if a chemical
reaction has occurred. Name these 4 characteristics.