iron ii chloride dihydrate, also known as ferrous chloride and FeCl2, is a compound with the formula FeCl2. It is a white (anhydrous) or greenish (hydrated) solid that is soluble in water. It is a paramagnetic material with high melting point. It can be prepared by reacting a solution of hydrochloric acid with metallic iron in an inert atmosphere. It can also be obtained by the classical synthesis of metal halides in which iron powder is added to a mixture of methanol and concentrated hydrochloric acid. This gives the methanol solvate, which upon heating in a vacuum at 160 degC yields anhydrous FeCl2. The hydrate is also readily available by dissolving the anhydrous salt in tetrahydrofuran (THF).
In nature, this compound occurs as the rare mineral rokuhnite (FeCl2*2 H2O), and also as less common hydrated minerals such as hibbingite, droninoite and kuliginite. It can also be found in the carbonate form as steel slag. Because of its tendency to oxidize in air, it is rarely found as a free element and is usually present as part of iron(II) oxide-containing minerals such as magnetite, hematite, goethite, siderite and limonite.
American Elements produces iron ii chloride dihydrate to many standard grades when applicable, including Mil Spec (military grade), ACS, Reagent and Technical Grade, Food, Agricultural and Pharmaceutical Grade, and Optical Grade. We can also provide custom packaging and supplemental documentation such as MSDS and CoAs.