Iron(II) carbonate, or ferrous carbonate, is a chemical compound with formula FeCO 3, that occurs naturally as the mineral siderite. At ordinary ambient temperatures, it is a green-brown ionic solid consisting of iron(II)cationsFe2+ and carbonateanionsCO2− 3.[5]
Iron carbonate decomposes at about 500–600 °C (773–873 K).[8]
Uses
Ferrous carbonate has been used as an iron dietary supplement to treat anemia.[9] It is noted to have very poor bioavailability in cats and dogs.[10]
Toxicity
Ferrous carbonate is slightly toxic; the probable oral lethal dose is between 0.5 and 5 g/kg (between 35 and 350 g for a 70 kg person).[11]
Iron(III) carbonate
Unlike iron(II) carbonate, iron(III) carbonate has not been isolated. Attempts to produce iron(III) carbonate by the reaction of aqueous ferric ions and carbonate ions result in the production of iron(III) oxide with the release of carbon dioxide or bicarbonate.[12]
References
^D R. Lide, ed.(2000): "CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics". 81st Edition. Pages 4-65.
^Ozlem Sel, A.V. Radha, Knud Dideriksen, and Alexandra Navrotsky (2012): "Amorphous iron (II) carbonate: Crystallization energetics and comparison to other carbonate minerals related to CO2 sequestration". Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, volume 87, issue 15, pages 61–68. doi:10.1016/j.gca.2012.03.011
^Gosselin, R.E., H.C. Hodge, R.P. Smith, and M.N. Gleason. Clinical Toxicology of Commercial Products. 4th ed. Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins, 1976., p. II-97