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Chemistry Forums for Students => Undergraduate General Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: zeoblade on August 16, 2009, 04:38:52 AM

Title: Fe(NO3)3 catalyst in H2O2 decomposition
Post by: zeoblade on August 16, 2009, 04:38:52 AM

I used Fe(NO₃)₃ as a catalyst to decompose H₂O₂.

I found the aqueous solution of Fe(NO₃)₃ to be clear yellow and then turns H₂O₂ opaque grape violet before returning the catalyst back to clear yellow.

In this reaction, did any of the Fe III get reduced to Fe II and then converted back to Fe III?

Fe III is clear yellow in colour and Fe II is clear blue. The reaction vessel was enclosed so I didn't observe the colour change except when I immediately combined the two together and saw the opaque violet colour and closed the reaction vessel. Then after 10mins I opened it up to check and found clear yellow colour again.

Would someone please explain what I should have seen theoretically?

Title: Re: Fe(NO3)3 catalyst in H2O2 decomposition
Post by: Borek on August 16, 2009, 05:19:05 AM

Check if H₂O₂ doesn't act as a ligand.