Ferric Chloride

Ferric chloride — otherwise known as flocculant, iron trichloride, or iron(III) chloride — is often found in the form of an aqueous solution that can be anywhere from colorless to light brown in appearance with a faint hydrochloric acid odor. It is a chemical compound consisting of iron and chlorine. Much ferric chloride is recycled from a liquid left behind in the steel-making process. Without ferric chloride, a clear, clean public supply of water of any sort would be difficult to obtain.

Synonyms
Iron(III) chloride, Iron trichloride
Chemical Formula
FeCl3
CAS Number
7705-08-0

Characteristics

Molar Weight
162.195 g/mol
Boiling Point
316°C
Density
2.90 g/cm3 (anhydrous)
Forms
Brown, Solid

Uses and Applications

Key applications

  • Metal finishing
  • Catalysts
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Medical products

Industries

  • Pharma
  • CASE & Construction
  • Chemical Processing