Iron(II) oxalate
Ferrous oxalate refers to the inorganic compound with the formula or . These are yellow compounds. Characteristic of metal oxalate complexes, these compounds tend to be polymeric, hence their low solubility in water. The dihydrate is hygroscopic.
Structure
Like other iron oxalates, ferrous oxalates feature octahedral Fe centers. The dihydrate is a coordination polymer, consisting of chains of oxalate-bridged ferrous centers, each with two aquo ligands.Reactions
When heated to, the dihydrate dehydrates, and the anhydrous ferrous oxalate decomposes near. The products of thermal decomposition in a sealed environment are a mixture of iron oxides, pyrophoric iron, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and water.Ferrous oxalates are precursors to iron phosphates, which are of value in batteries.