What is the reason for the higher ability of Fe3+ , than Fe2+, for being hydrolyzed?
Does this has something to do with Fe3+ having higher electron density than Fe2+ ? And how are they related?
https://www.quora.com/Why-does-FeCl3-hydrolyze-into-an-acidic-solution
The higher ability of Fe3+ to undergo hydrolysis compared to Fe2+ can be attributed to the difference in their electron densities.
Fe3+ has a higher electron density compared to Fe2+. This is because Fe3+ has lost three electrons, resulting in a reduced number of electron-electron repulsions within its d-orbital. As a result, the remaining electrons experience a stronger attraction from the nucleus, leading to a higher electron density.
The higher electron density of Fe3+ makes it more susceptible to hydrolysis. Hydrolysis is a chemical reaction involving the reaction of a substance with water molecules. In the case of Fe3+, the higher electron density makes it easier for water molecules to attack and coordinate with the central Fe3+ ion. This coordination results in the formation of hydroxide (OH-) ions.
On the other hand, Fe2+ has a lower electron density due to the presence of two extra electrons compared to Fe3+. These extra electrons increase the electron-electron repulsions within the d-orbital, reducing the electron density.
In summary, the higher electron density of Fe3+ compared to Fe2+ enables easier hydrolysis because it facilitates the coordination of water molecules and subsequent generation of hydroxide ions. The difference in electron density between Fe3+ and Fe2+ is responsible for their varying abilities to undergo hydrolysis.
The higher ability of Fe3+ to undergo hydrolysis compared to Fe2+ is due to the difference in their electronic configurations and resulting electron densities.
To understand this, let's start with the electronic configurations of Fe2+ and Fe3+. Fe2+ has lost two electrons from its neutral iron atom, giving it a configuration of [Ar]3d^6, while Fe3+ has lost three electrons, resulting in a configuration of [Ar]3d^5.
The electron density refers to the number of electrons around an atom or ion and is related to the electron configuration. In Fe2+, the presence of six electrons in the d orbital creates a higher electron density compared to Fe3+ with only five electrons in the d orbital.
Now, let's consider hydrolysis. Hydrolysis is a chemical reaction where water molecules break down and react with another substance. In the case of iron ions, it involves the reaction of water with the iron ion to form hydrated iron species.
The difference in electronic configurations and electron densities between Fe2+ and Fe3+ affects their ability to attract and bind water molecules during hydrolysis. The higher electron density in Fe2+ promotes stronger electrostatic interactions with water molecules, leading to a lower tendency for hydrolysis. On the other hand, Fe3+ with its lower electron density has a greater ability to attract and bind water molecules, resulting in a higher tendency to undergo hydrolysis.
Therefore, the higher ability of Fe3+ to be hydrolyzed compared to Fe2+ is indeed related to its lower electron density.