Jernklorid

Jernklorid, also known as iron(III) chloride or ferric chloride, is a chemical compound with the formula FeCl3. It is a crystalline solid, with its appearance ranging from brown to black, depending on its hydration state and purity. Anhydrous iron(III) chloride is a vigorous oxidizing agent and reacts exothermically with water. Hydrated iron(III) chloride is more commonly encountered and is typically a yellow to brown solid.

Iron(III) chloride is soluble in water, forming acidic solutions due to hydrolysis. It is also soluble in many organic solvents such as ethanol and acetone. This solubility and its chemical properties make it useful in a variety of applications. One of its primary uses is as a flocculant in wastewater treatment and drinking water production. It works by causing suspended particles to clump together, allowing them to be more easily removed.

In electronics, iron(III) chloride is used as an etchant for copper in the production of printed circuit boards. The compound reacts with copper to form soluble copper(I) chloride and copper(II) chloride, which are then washed away. It also finds application in medicine as a styptic to stop bleeding, though its use in this area is less common now due to potential irritation. In organic chemistry, it serves as a Lewis acid catalyst for various reactions, such as Friedel-Crafts alkylation and acylation.