Iron(II) oxide is the inorganic compound with the formula FeO. Its mineral form is known as wüstite. One of several iron oxides, it is a black-colored powder that is sometimes confused with rust, which consists of hydrated iron(III) oxide (ferric oxide). Iron(II) oxide also refers to a family of related non-stoichiometric compounds, which are typically iron deficient with compositions ranging from Fe0.84O to Fe0.95O.
Preparation
FeO can be prepared by the thermal decomposition of iron(II) oxalate.
- FeC2O4 â†' FeO + CO2 + CO
The procedure is conducted a protective atmosphere to avoid the formation of ferric oxide. A similar procedure can also be used for the synthesis of manganous oxide and stannous oxide.
Stoichiometric FeO can be prepared by heating Fe0.95O with metallic iron at 770 °C and 36 kbar.
Reactions
FeO is thermodynamically unstable below 575 °C, tending to disproportionate to metal and Fe3O4:
- 4FeO â†' Fe + Fe3O4
Structure
Iron(II) oxide adopts the cubic, rock salt structure, where iron atoms are octahedrally coordinated by oxygen atoms and the oxygen atoms octahedrally coordinated by iron atoms. The non-stoichiometry occurs because of the ease of oxidation of FeII to FeIII effectively replacing a small portion of FeII with two thirds their number of FeIII, which take up tetrahedral positions in the close packed oxide lattice.
Below 200Â K there is a minor change to the structure which changes the symmetry to rhombohedral and samples become antiferromagnetic.
Occurrence in nature
Iron(II) oxide makes up approximately 9% of the Earth's mantle. Within the mantle, it may be electrically conductive, which is a possible explanation for perturbations in Earth's rotation not accounted for by accepted models of the mantle's properties.
Uses
Iron(II) oxide is used as a pigment. It is FDA-approved for use in cosmetics and it is used in some tattoo inks. It can also be used for filtering phosphates from home aquaria.
References
External links
- http://webmineral.com/data/Wustite.shtml