Ferric chloride

Synonyms

Ferric trichloride; Chlorure ferrique [French]; Chlorure perrique [French]; Flores martis; Iron chloride; Iron perchloride; Iron sesquichloride (DOT); Iron trichloride; Iron(III) chloride; Iron(III) chloride, solution; Natural molysite; Perchlorure de fer [French]; Ferric chloride solution; Ferric chloride solutions; Ferric chloride, anhydrous; [ChemIDplus] UN1773; UN2582 (solution)

Category

Metals, Inorganic Compounds

Description

Dark solid (red by transmitted light, green by reflected light) that sometimes appears brownish-black; Highly hygroscopic and readily forms the hexahydrate; Soluble in water; [Merck Index] Greenish-black odorless solid; [CHRIS]

Sources/Uses

Used as a medication, an analytical reagent, an etching agent (engraving, photography, and printed circuits), a catalyst, a mordant, a disinfectant, a pigment, and a feed additive; also used in sewage treatment and water purification; [HSDB] Found in nature as the mineral molysite; Used in photography, to make other iron salts, pigments, and inks, and for chlorinating silver and copper ores; [Merck Index]

Comments

Toxic by ingestion: 10 tablets (0.3 g Fe/tablet) causes mild illness in children; 20 tablets cause severe intoxication; Mortality rate was 1% in 474 acute iron poisoning cases; [ACGIH] Corrosive to skin; [Quick CPC] An irritant that may cause liver injury; [Merck Index] Decomposed by water forming hydrogen chloride; A skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritant; Corrosive on ingestion; [ICSC] A skin, eye, nose, and throat irritant; Prolonged skin contact can case burns; [CHRIS] A skin and strong eye irritant; Toxic by ingestion; [Aldrich MSDS] See "Iron salts, soluble." See "Ferric chloride hexahydrate."

Biomedical References

Insufficient data

1 mg/m3, as Fe (soluble iron salts)

Explanatory Notes

TLV is for "Iron salts, soluble"; [ACGIH] Melting point = approximately 300 degrees C; [HSDB] Vapor pressure = 1 mm Hg at 194 degrees C; [HSDB] The Guide in the Emergency Response Guidebook is for "Ferric chloride, annhydrous."

Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion

Skin burns

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Farming (Feed Additives)
• Photographic Processing
• Sewer and Wastewater Treatment
• Textiles (Printing, Dyeing, or Finishing)
• Using Disinfectants or Biocides

Activities

Activities with risk of exposure:

• Applying metallic patinas
• Intalagio printing