Ferrous oxalate (iron(II) oxalate) are inorganic compound with the formula FeC2O4(H2O)x where x is 0 or 2. These are orange compounds, poorly soluble in water.
Structure and reactions
Like other iron oxalates, ferrous oxalates feature octahedral Fe centers. The dihydrate FeC2O4(H2O)x is a coordination polymer, consisting of chains of oxalate-bridged ferrous centers, each with two aquo ligands.[3]
When heated to 120 °C, the dihydrate dehydrates, and the anhydrous ferrous oxalate decomposes near 190 °C.[4] The products of thermal decomposition is a mixture of iron oxides and pyrophoric iron metal, as well as released carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and water.[5]
Ferrous oxalates are precursors to iron phosphates, which are of value in batteries.[6]
Natural occurrence
Anhydrous iron(II) oxalate is unknown among minerals as of 2020. However, the dihydrate is known as humboldtine.[7][8] A related, though much more complex mineral is stepanovite,
Na[Mg(H2O)6] [Fe3+(C2O4)3]·3H2O - an example of trioxalatoferrate(III).[9][8]
^Hermanek, Martin; Zboril, Radek; Mashlan, Miroslav; Machala, Libor; Schneeweiss, Oldrich (2006). "Thermal Behaviour of Iron(II) Oxalate Dihydrate in the Atmosphere of Its Conversion Gases". J. Mater. Chem. 16 (13): 1273–1280. doi:10.1039/b514565a.
^Ellis, B. L.; Makahnouk, W. R. M.; Makimura, Y.; Toghill, K.; Nazar, L. F. (2007). "A multifunctional 3.5 V iron-based phosphate cathode for rechargeable batteries". Nature Materials. 6 (10): 749–753. Bibcode:2007NatMa...6..749E. doi:10.1038/nmat2007. PMID17828278.