On the structure of iron(III) chloride solutions

The following 3.7 M solutions have been reexamined by x-ray diffraction: (1) neutral solutions, prepared from FeCl/sub 3/.6H/sub 2/O, examined as soon as prepared in the Rome diffractometer; (2) a separate identically prepared solution examined using the Cagliari diffractometer; (3) the first solution reanalyzed after 8 months; (4) neutral solution prepared from the anhydrous FeCl/sub 3/ salt, examined right after preparation in the Rome diffractometer. The results indicate clearly that complex formation does occur in a solution freshly prepared from FeCl/sub 3/.6H/sub 2/O, no aging effect occurs in such a solution, and solutions prepared from either the hydrated or anhydrous Fe(III)Cl/sub 3/ salt do produce the same radial distribution curves. The actual results do contradict those of Wertz. The sources of the discrepancies are discussed. 6 references, 1 figure, 1 table.