Iron(II) acetate describes compounds with formula Fe(CH3CO2)2·(H2O)x where x can be 0 (anhydrous) or 4 (tetrahydrate). The anhydrous compound is a white solid, although impure samples can be slightly colored. The tetrahydrate is light green solid that is highly soluble in water.

Preparation and structure

Although anhydrous ferrous acetate can be viewed as a simple salt, X-ray crystallography reveals a complicated polymeric structure. Color code: red = O, blue = Fe, gray = C, white = H.

Iron powder reacts with acetic acid to give the ferrous acetate, with evolution of hydrogen gas:

Fe + 2 CH3CO2H → Fe(CH3CO2)2 + H2

Reaction of scrap iron with acetic acid affords a brown mixture of various iron(II) and iron(III) acetates that are used in dyeing.

It can also be made from the insoluble, olive green, Iron(II) carbonate.[citation needed]

It adopts a polymeric structure with octahedral Fe(II) centers interconnected by acetate ligands. It is a coordination polymer.

Uses

Ferrous acetate is used as a mordant by the dye industry. Ebonizing wood is one such process.