Chemical Properties of Iron

Iron is one of the most widely used chemical elements in the world, and it accounts for nearly 95% of the total production of metals. Owing to its cost-effectiveness and high strength, it is used in a variety of applications. It is used in engineering applications, construction of large ships, and structural buildings. These days, it is even used in the manufacture of cast iron cooking appliances. It is one of the oldest used metals and it has been in existence since the human civilization came into inception. Chemical properties of iron impart it numerous qualities that makes it suitable for some purposes while unsuitable for several others.

Iron Chemical Properties

The electronic configuration of iron - the element is [Ar]4s²3d⁶ and there are nearly 14 known isotopes of iron. Iron is the 6th most abundant element in the universe and it is also one of the most common elements in the exterior and interior surface of the Earth. In the Earth's crust, it is the 4th commonest element and is known to be an integral chemical element found in human body as well as the Earth. Iron is placed in the first transition series of the periodic table and is known to be an important transition metal. Iron mainly exists in the +2 and +3 oxidation states. The lower oxidation states of iron (that is with +2 valency) are known as ferrous while iron (III) compounds are known as ferric. Iron (II) compounds are light green while iron (III) compounds are orange/brown/. Iron also occurs in a higher oxidation state of +6 in compound potassium ferrate (K₂FeO₄).

Iron compounds are produced on a large scale in industries. Iron (II) Sulfate, FeSO₄7H₂O, and Ferric Chloride, FeCl₃, are the two compounds of iron that are produced on a very large scale. One of the chemical properties of iron is that it easily gets oxidized in open air and that is why many compounds of Iron (II) get oxidized into iron (III).

Iron as a chemical element is a very active metal and on reaction with oxygen and moisture in the air, it forms rust, or Fe₂O₃. Rusting is known to be a major disadvantage of iron metal, however, with improvement in science, rust removal has been possible by methods like galvanization, electroplating and painting.

Iron is the only naturally occurring substance that has magnetic property. What is magnetism? Magnetism is, in fact, one of the remarkable properties of iron metal and is also exhibited by numerous other materials. Owing to the structure of this metal, it exhibits numerous magnetic properties. Structures that are similar to iron in chemical bonding exhibit properties of ferromagnetism, antiferromagnetism and ferrimagnetism.

The Pauling scale suggests that iron has electronegativity equal to 1.8. The boiling point of iron is very high, equal to 2862 degree Celsius (approximately) and its melting point equals 1538 degree Celsius (approximately) . Since iron is a transition metal, it has strong attractive forces between the atoms and they're only weakened when subjected to very high temperatures. That is the reason behind high melting and boiling points of iron metal. Also, owing to high attractive forces between atoms, iron has a high density. The density of iron is 7.9 gm/cm³. On heating pure iron gives hydrogen, nitrogen and carbon monoxide as its chief constituents. One of the chemical properties of iron is that is an important component of meat, wheat products, potatoes and vegetables. Iron as a mineral is an important requirement for biological functions. From microorganisms to human beings, iron is important for all. In the human body, iron appears in the hemoglobin molecules.

Iron is generally alloyed with various other metals and numerous carbon containing compounds. By changing carbon content, iron can be used to manufacture stainless steel that is mainly used in making kitchen appliances. Also, iron in numerous forms like cast iron, pig iron and wrought iron is used for various purposes. Chemical properties of iron are varied by changing external temperature and pressure so that iron can be employed for various purposes. Owing to their unique properties, it is extensively used in various industries.