Iron(II) acetate

Iron(II) acetate is a coordination complex with formula Fe(C2H3O2)2. It is a white solid, although impure samples can be slightly colored. A light green tetrahydrate is also known, which is highly soluble in water. Iron(II) acetate is a coordination complex with formula Fe(C2H3O2)2. It is a white solid, although impure samples can be slightly colored. A light green tetrahydrate is also known, which is highly soluble in water. Iron powder reacts with hot acetic acid to give the product: It adopts a polymeric structure with octahedral Fe(II) centers bridged by acetate ligands. It is not a ionic compound. The hydrate can be made by the reaction of ferrous oxide or ferrous hydroxide with acetic acid. Reaction of scrap iron with acetic acid affords a brown mixture of various iron(II) and iron(III) acetates that are used in dyeing. Ferrous acetate is used as a mordant by the dye industry. Ebonizing wood is one such process.