When iron filings are heated in a stream of dry chlorine gas, compound X is formed. Conver… — JAMB UTME

When iron filings are heated in a stream of dry chlorine gas, compound $X$ is formed. Conversely, when iron filings react with dilute hydrochloric acid, compound $Y$ is produced. What are the correct IUPAC names of compounds $X$ and $Y$ respectively?

Iron(III) chloride and iron(II) chlorideAnswer
B
Iron(II) chloride and iron(III) chloride
C
Iron(III) chloride and iron(III) chloride
D
Iron(II) chloride and iron(II) chloride

Answer

Iron(III) chloride and iron(II) chloride

Dry chlorine gas acts as a powerful oxidizing agent that oxidizes iron directly to iron(III) chloride (

\text{FeCl}_3

). In contrast, reacting iron with dilute hydrochloric acid generates iron(II) chloride (

\text{FeCl}_2

) because the evolved hydrogen gas acts as a reducing agent, maintaining iron in the

+2

oxidation state.

Step-by-Step Solution

Analyze the reaction of iron with dry chlorine gas

2\text{Fe}_{(s)} + 3\text{Cl}_{2(g)} \rightarrow 2\text{FeCl}_{3(s)}

Chlorine gas is a powerful oxidizing agent capable of taking iron from oxidation state 0 to +3, forming iron(III) chloride.

Analyze the reaction of iron with dilute hydrochloric acid

\text{Fe}_{(s)} + 2\text{HCl}_{(aq)} \rightarrow \text{FeCl}_{2(aq)} + \text{H}_{2(g)}

Dilute hydrochloric acid oxidizes iron to iron(II) chloride (

+2

state). The hydrogen gas (

\text{H}_2

) evolved during the reaction acts as a reducing agent, preventing any further oxidation to iron(III).

Match the products to compound

X

and compound

Y

Compound

X

is iron(III) chloride and compound

Y

is iron(II) chloride.

Sequential identification following the given stem conditions.

Key Concept

Variable oxidation states of iron and differential oxidizing strength of chlorine versus hydrogen ions.

Estimated Time:1m 0s

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Key Concept

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