Chemical Properties of Iron (III) Nitrate

• When iron(III) nitrate is dissolved, it forms a yellow solution because of hydrolysis.
• Iron(III) oxide, nitrogen dioxide, and oxygen are formed during the thermal decomposition of iron(III) nitrate.

4Fe(NO₃)₃ → 2Fe₂O₃ + 12NO₂ + 3O₂

• When it is dissolved in molten stearic acid, the compound decomposes at about 120° C to form iron(III) oxide-hydroxide FeO(OH). 
• When it is heated to a temperature that is close to boiling, nitric acid will evaporate from the solution, and all of the iron will precipitate as iron(III) oxide (Fe₂O₃).
• Iron (III) nitrate reacts with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) to produce sodium nitrate (NaNO₃) and iron (III) hydroxide Fe(OH)₃. 

3NaOH + Fe(NO₃)₃ → 3NaNO₃ + Fe(OH)₃

• Iron (III) nitrate reacts with copper to form copper(II) nitrate (Cu(NO₃)₂) and ferrous nitrate (Fe(NO₃)₂). 

Cu + 2Fe(NO₃)₃ → Cu(NO₃)₂ + 2Fe(NO₃)₂

Iron (III) nitrate is also referred to as ferric nitrate or iron trinitrate, whose chemical (or) the molecular formula is Fe(NO₃)₃ (or) FeN₃O₉. It is an inorganic compound that appears as a violet crystalline solid. Nonahydrate is the most common hydrate form, with the chemical formula Fe(NO₃)₃.(H₂O)₉. It is completely soluble in water, alcohol, and acetone, and is slightly soluble in cold concentrated nitric acid. It is a strong oxidant and a non-combustible chemical compound. Though it is non-flammable, it will increase the intensity of a fire if it comes in contact with combustible materials. The solutions of Ferric Nitrate are corrosive to most metals. It is used as a mordant in dyeing, weighting silks, tanning, and inhibiting corrosion, as well as a fertilizer and food additive.