Iron oxide [Chemical formula, Physical, Chemical Properties and Reactions]

By: Prof. Dr. Fazal Rehman | Last updated: February 3, 2024

chemical formula of iron oxide are given below

  • iron(II) oxide (FeO)
  • iron(III) oxide (Fe2O3)

Physical Properties of Iron Oxide:

Property Details
Appearance Powdery or crystalline solid
Boiling Point Varies depending on the type of iron oxide
Color Reddish-brown or black
Conductivity Poor electrical and thermal conductivity
Crystal Structure Varies depending on the type of iron oxide
Density Varies depending on the type of iron oxide
Hardness Varies depending on the type of iron oxide
Magnetic Properties Exhibits ferromagnetic properties
Melting Point Varies depending on the type of iron oxide
Odor Odorless
Solubility Insoluble in water and most solvents
Specific Gravity Varies depending on the type of iron oxide
State Solid

Chemical Properties of Iron Oxide:

Property Details
Acid/Base Properties Can act as a weak Lewis acid in some reactions
Combustibility Non-combustible
Corrosion Iron oxides can cause corrosion of metals and alloys
Hygroscopicity Iron oxide powders can absorb moisture from the air
Oxidation/Reduction Iron(III) oxide can be reduced to iron metal
Photocatalytic Activity Certain types of iron oxide can exhibit photocatalytic properties
Reaction with Water Iron(III) oxide reacts slowly with water to form iron(III) hydroxide
Reactivity with Acids Iron oxides react with strong acids to form salts
Reactivity with Bases Generally inert, does not react with bases
Reactivity with Other Metals Can undergo redox reactions with other metals
Stability Stable under normal conditions

Reactions of iron oxide with Alkali Metal

Alkali Metal Reaction Equation  
Lithium (Li) 2Li + Fe2O3   react and convert into  2Li2O + 2Fe
Sodium (Na) 4Na + Fe2O3   react and convert into  2Na2O + 2Fe
Potassium (K) 4K + Fe2O3   react and convert into  2K2O + 2Fe
Rubidium (Rb) 4Rb + Fe2O3   react and convert into  2Rb2O + 2Fe
Cesium (Cs) 4Cs + Fe2O3   react and convert into  2Cs2O + 2Fe

Reactions of iron oxide with Alkaline Earth Metal

Alkaline Earth Metal Reaction Equation  
Beryllium (Be) No product formed
Magnesium (Mg) 3Mg + Fe2O3   react and convert into  3MgO + 2Fe
Calcium (Ca) 3Ca + Fe2O3   react and convert into  3CaO + 2Fe
Strontium (Sr) 3Sr + Fe2O3   react and convert into  3SrO + 2Fe
Barium (Ba) 3Ba + Fe2O3   react and convert into  3BaO + 2Fe
Radium (Ra) No product formed

Reactions of iron oxide with Transition Metal

Transition Metal Reaction Equation  
Scandium (Sc) No product formed
Titanium (Ti) No product formed
Vanadium (V) No product formed
Chromium (Cr) No product formed
Manganese (Mn) 3Mn + Fe2O3   react and convert into  3MnO + 2Fe
Iron (Fe) No product formed
Cobalt (Co) No product formed
Nickel (Ni) No product formed
Copper (Cu) 3Cu + Fe2O3    react and convert into  3CuO + 2Fe
Zinc (Zn) No product formed
Yttrium (Y) No product formed
Zirconium (Zr) No product formed
Niobium (Nb) No product formed
Molybdenum (Mo) No product formed
Technetium (Tc) No product formed
Ruthenium (Ru) No product formed
Rhodium (Rh) No product formed
Palladium (Pd) No product formed
Silver (Ag) 3Ag + Fe2O3   react and convert into  3Ag2O + 2Fe
Cadmium (Cd) No product formed
Hafnium (Hf) No product formed
Tantalum (Ta) No product formed
Tungsten (W) No product formed
Rhenium (Re) No product formed
Osmium (Os) No product formed
Iridium (Ir) No product formed
Platinum (Pt) No product formed
Gold (Au) 3Au + Fe2O3   react and convert into  3Au2O3 + 2Fe
Mercury (Hg) No product formed
Rutherfordium (Rf) No product formed
Dubnium (Db) No product formed
Seaborgium (Sg) No product formed
Bohrium (Bh) No product formed
Hassium (Hs) No product formed
Meitnerium (Mt) No product formed
Darmstadtium

Reactions of iron oxide with Non-Transition Metal

Non-Transition Metal Reaction Equation  
Aluminum (Al) 2Al + Fe2O3   react and convert into  Al2O3 + 2Fe
Gallium (Ga) 2Ga + Fe2O3   react and convert into  Ga2O3 + 2Fe
Indium (In) 2In + Fe2O3   react and convert into  In2O3 + 2Fe
Tin (Sn) 2Sn + Fe2O3   react and convert into  SnO2 + 2Fe
Thallium (Tl) 2Tl + Fe2O3   react and convert into  Tl2O3 + 2Fe
Lead (Pb) 2Pb + Fe2O3   react and convert into  PbO + PbFe2O4
Bismuth (Bi) No product formed
Polonium (Po) No product formed

Reactions of iron oxide with Non-Metal

Non-Metal Reaction Equation  
Hydrogen (H2) 3H2 + Fe2O3   react and convert into  Fe2O3  + 3H2O
Carbon (C) No product formed
Nitrogen (N2) No product formed
Oxygen (O2) No product formed
Fluorine (F2) No product formed
Phosphorus (P4) No product formed
Sulfur (S8) No product formed
Chlorine (Cl2) No product formed
Bromine (Br2) No product formed
Iodine (I2) No product formed
Noble Gases No product formed

 

All Copyrights Reserved 2025 Reserved by T4Tutorials