15 Facts on H2SO4 + FeCl2: What, How To Balance & FAQs

Sulfuric acid (H2SO4) is a powerful mineral acid, and Ferrous chloride (FeCl2) is an ionic compound. Let us see, how a chemical reaction takes place in the case of H2SO4 +FeCl2.

Sulphuric acid (H2SO4), also known as oil of vitriol is the strongest acid in the whole chemical family. It is a colorless oily liquid present in nature. Iron chloride (FeCl2), also known as Ferrous dichloride is a light green solid crystal.

Facts about the reactions such as their balanced structure, the result of titration, intermolecular forces, buffer solutions, and others will be discussed throughout this article.

What is the product of H2SO4 and FeCl2?

Ferrous sulfate (Fe2(SO4)3, sulfur dioxide (SO2), Hydrochloric acid (HCl), and water are products of the H2SO4 and FeCl2 reaction.

2FeCl2 + 4H2SO4 = SO2 + Fe2(SO4)3 +4HCl + 2H2O

What type of reaction is H2SO4 + FeCl2?

H2SO4 and FeCl2 are oxidation-reduction and dehydration reactions because there is a loss of water molecules from the reacting molecules.

How to balance H2SO4 + FeCl2?

The following steps are involved in balancing a chemical reaction.

FeCl2+ H2SO4 = SO2 + Fe2(SO4)3 +HCl + H2O

  • On both sides of the reaction, there should be a certain number of moles of each element.
ElementNumber of moles on left sideNumber of moles on right side
Fe12
Cl21
H23
S14
O415
Number of elements on each side of the reaction
  • To balance the number of moles of each element following actions are made.
  • FeCl2 is multiplied by 2 on the reactant side first.
  • On the products side HCl is multiplied by 4.
  • H2SO4 is multiplied by 4 on the reactants side.
  • H2O is multiplied by 2 on the product side.
  • At last, the balanced chemical equation is 2FeCl2 + 4H2SO4 = SO2 + Fe2(SO4)3 +4HCl + 2H2O

H2SO4 + FeCl2 titration

H2SO4 + FeCl2 undergo titration to find the unknown sulphuric acid concentration by neutralizing it with a known ferrous chloride solution.

Apparatus Used

  • Unknown Sulphuric Acid Solution
  • Phenolphthalein
  • Known ferrous chloride Solution
  • Beaker
  • Pipette
  • Stand
  • Glass funnel
  • Test tube
  • Burette
  • Burette clamp

Indicator

Phenolphthalein is a colorless indicator used in acid-base titrations.

Procedure

  • Rinse the burette with a ferrous chloride solution, fill it to the tip with a ferrous chloride solution, and then record the burette’s initial reading as 0.
  • Then, using a pipette, carefully suck the unidentified hydrochloric acid solution and transfer it to a titration flask.
  • Add a tiny bit of phenolphthalein to the titration flask.
  • Fill the titration flask with the known ferrous chloride solution from the burette until the color turns pink.
  • Note readings and repeat them over again.
  • We shall employ the following equations to determine the titrant’s normality:
  • N1V1 = N2V2
  • After determining the normality of the titrant, we can use the following formulae to calculate the mass of the substance.
  • Mass of substance = Equivalent Weight X Normality X Volume / 1000.

H2SO4 + FeCl2 net ionic equation

The net ionic equation of H2SO4 + FeCl2 reaction is-

2Cl2+2Fe+2 + 4H++ 4SO42- = 2Fe+3 + 3SO42-+ SO2+ 6H2O

The net ionic equation is obtained by using the steps below.

  • Write the balanced chemical reaction
  • 2FeCl2 + 4H2SO4 = SO2 + Fe2(SO4)3 +4HCl + 2H2O
  • H2SO4 and FeCl2 dissociate in aqueous media as:
  • H2SO4 = 2H+ + SO42- and FeCl2 = Fe+2 + 2Cl.
  • So, the complete ionic equation is
  • 2Cl2+2Fe+2 + 4H++ 4SO42- = 2Fe+3 + 3SO42-+ SO2+ 6H2O     
  • 3SO42-gets canceled out from both sides.
  • Thus, the net ionic equation is
  • 2Cl2+2Fe+2 + 4H++ SO42- = 2Fe+3 + SO2+ 6H2O

H2SO4 + FeCl2 conjugate pairs

The conjugate pairs of H2SO4 + FeCl2 are given below:

  • H2SO4 acts as a conjugate base by forming HSO4 ion by donating its proton.
  • FeCl2 acts as a conjugate base by forming Cl by donating an electron.

H2SO4 and FeCl2 intermolecular forces

The intermolecular force of H2SO4 and FeCl2 are-

  • In H2SO4, hydrogen bonding is the intermolecular forces that bind the hydrogen and sulphate ions together.
  • In FeCl2, strong ionic attractive forces exist between the cation Fe+2 and anion Cl.

H2SO4 and FeCl2 reaction enthalpy

The reaction enthalpy for H2SO4 + HCl is   -961.34 kJ/mol, where-

  • The enthalpy of the formation of H2SO4 is -814 kJ/mol.
  • The enthalpy of the formation of FeCl2 is −19.82 kJ/mol.
  • The enthalpy of the formation of Fe2(SO4)3 is -118.4kJ/mol.
  • The enthalpy of the formation of H2O is -285.8 kJ/mol.
  • The Reaction enthalpy (∆H) of H2SO4 + FeCl2= Enthalpy of product – enthalpy of reactant, we get,
  • (∆H) of H2SO4 + FeCl2 is = -981.16 kJ/mol – (−19.82) kJ/mol
  • (∆H) of H2SO4 + FeCl2 is = -961.34 kJ/mol.

Is H2SO4 + FeCl2 a buffer solution

H2SO4 +FeCl2 is not a buffer solution as sulphuric acid (H2SO4) is a strong acid whereas FeCl2 is a weak acid, which does not fulfill the necessary qualities to form a buffer solution. 

Is H2SO4 + FeCl2 a complete reaction?

H2SO4 and FeCl2 is a complete reaction as all the reactants moles are completely converted to products- Ferrous sulfate, sulfur dioxide, and Hydrochloric acid.

Is H2SO4 + FeCl2 an exothermic reaction?

H2SO4 + FeCl2 is exothermic as heat is produced during this reaction.

Is H2SO4 + FeCl2 a redox reaction?

H2SO4 + FeCl2 is a redox reaction where sulphur in sulphuric acid is oxidized, and Fe is reduced.

SVI + 2 e → SIV (reduction)

2 FeII – 2 e → 2 FeIII (oxidation)

Is H2SO4 + FeCl2 a precipitation reaction?

H2SO4 + FeCl2 is a precipitation reaction as the solid ferric sulphate residue is formed.

Is H2SO4 + FeCl2 irreversible reaction?

H2SO4 + FeCl2 is irreversible because it produces salt, acid, and one gaseous molecule of Fe2(SO4)3, which can increase the entropy of the reaction and shift the equilibrium towards the right-hand side.

Is H2SO4 + FeCl2 displacement reaction?

H2SO4 + FeCl2 is a single displacement reaction as Fe displaces H2 from H2SO4 and forms FeSO4.

How to balance H2SO4 + KMnO4 + FeCl2 = H2O + Cl2 + K2SO4 + MnSO4 + Fe2(SO4)3?

The oxidation number change method is one of the strategies for balancing redox reactions. An electron transfer reaction is a redox reaction and as a result, the oxidation number must change.

In the reaction H2SO4 + KMnO4 + FeCl2 = H2O + Cl2 + K2SO4 + MnSO4 + Fe2(SO4)3

  • Fe is reduced from its +2-oxidation state to +3 oxidation state and Mn is reduced by H2SO4 and a change of oxidation state takes place from +7 to +2.
  • Some moles of each element on both side of the reaction is to be noted down.
ElementNumber of moles on left sideNumber of moles on right side
Fe12
Cl22
H22
S15
O821
Mn11
K12
Number of elements on each side of the reaction
image 1 1

Oxidation and reduction during balancing the reaction
  • To balance K multiply 2 on reactant side
  • Balance the equation atomically (except O and H) and sulphate ions.
  • 10FeCl2 + 24H2SO4 + 6KMnO4 → 10Cl2 + 5Fe2(SO4)3 + 24H2O + 6MnSO4 + 3K2SO4

Conclusion:

The article concludes that H2SO4 and FeCl2 are both strong displacers meaning they take part in a displacement reaction. The reaction is exothermic, and heat is released into the environment. The net ionic equation calculation and titration are also feasible, and it is an irreversible reaction.

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