Ferrous Sulphate

What Is Ferrous Sulfate?

Ferrous sulfate is an iron salt with the chemical formula FeSO4.

Ferrous sulfate is an iron salt popularly known as green vitriol. Imferon and iron dextran are injectable iron. Ferrous fumarate, ferrous gluconate, and ferrous sulfate are generic names for oral iron. Ferrous sulfate is by far the best and cheapest for iron supplement.

It is formed when iron filings are mixed into a solution of copper sulfate, iron pushes the copper since it is more reactive and takes its place resulting in the formation of iron sulfate.

Table of Content

• Structure of Ferrous sulfate– FeSO4
• Some Information on Ferrous sulphate
• Physical properties of Ferrous sulphate
• Chemical properties of Ferrous sulphate
• Uses of Ferrous sulphate
• FAQs

Ferrous Sulfate Structure – FeSO4

Some Information on Ferrous Sulfate – FeSO4

Other names – Iron(II) sulfate, Iron sulfate, Iron(2+) sulfate

Physical Properties of Ferrous Sulfate – FeSO4

Chemical Properties of Ferrous Sulfate – FeSO4

1. Ferrous sulfate reacts with aluminium under displacement reaction forming aluminium sulfate and metallic iron. The chemical reaction is given below.

2Al + 3FeSO4 → Al2(SO4)3 + 3Fe

2. Ferrous sulfate reacts with potassium permanganate in the presence of sulphuric acid forms ferric sulfate, manganese sulfate, potassium sulfate, and water.

10FeSO4 + 2KMnO4 + 8H2SO4 → 5Fe2(SO4)3 + 2MnSO4 + 8H2O + K2SO4

Uses of Ferrous Sulfate – FeSO4

• Used as iron supplements are indicated in patients with diseases caused by iron deficiency.
• Used in the treatment of iron deficiency anaemia, prophylaxis for iron deficiency in pregnancy.
• Used in precaution if sedation or general anaesthesia is required; risk of the hypotensive episode.
• Ferrous sulfate can also be used with chlorine. This treatment is normally known as chlorinated copperas treatment.