Description of experiment
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Needed compounds:
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ferric chloride : FeCl3 . 6H2O
acetic anhydride : (CH3CO)2O
Class:
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elem=Fe
coordination
Summary:
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Ferric chloride dissolves in acetic anhydride very well, forming a beautifully
colored deep red/brown solution. The color of this solution is very bright.
Description:
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Add a piece at the size of a pea of ferric chloride (FeCl3.6H2O, hydrated) to a
small amount of acetic anhydride: The solid dissolves. The liquid becomes quite
hot and the liquid becomes bright red/brown. Initially, the liquid is clear,
but after some time, when all of the solid has dissolved, the liquid becomes a
little turbid.
Add a few drops of water: No apparent reaction. The water mixes with the liquid
and the liquid remains bright red/brown with some turbidity.
Add much more water: All liquid is mixed now and the turbidity disappears. The
solution becomes bright red/brown and clear. The color is remarkably nice and
bright, not like the common brownish/yellow colors obtained from FeCl3, but a
really bright reddish color.