Iron pentacarbonyl is a chemical compound with the formula Fe(CO)5. The phonetic transcription of this word is ˈaɪrən ˌpɛntəˈkɑrboʊnɪl. The spelling of this word is based on the scientific nomenclature, which includes the name of the element (iron) followed by the number of carbon monoxide ligands (pentacarbonyl). The "i" in iron is pronounced as "ai," the "e" in pentacarbonyl is pronounced as "eh," and the stress is on the second syllable of both words. This compound is commonly used in the preparation of iron nanoparticles and as a source of iron in organic synthesis.
Iron pentacarbonyl is a chemical compound with the chemical formula Fe(CO)5. It is an organometallic compound consisting of a central iron atom bonded to five carbonyl (CO) groups.
Iron pentacarbonyl is a pale yellow, volatile, and highly toxic solid under normal conditions. It has a molecular weight of 195.9 g/mol and a density of 1.12 g/cm³. It can easily decompose when heated, releasing carbon monoxide gas.
In terms of its structure, iron pentacarbonyl adopts a trigonal bipyramidal geometry around the iron atom. The iron atom and three of the carbonyl ligands lie in a plane, while the other two carbonyl ligands are perpendicular to this plane.
Iron pentacarbonyl is primarily used in the chemical industry as a precursor to iron-based catalysts and as a reagent in various organic syntheses. It is often employed in the production of acyl and carbonyl derivatives. Additionally, it is utilized as a source of carbon monoxide (CO) in industrial processes such as the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis.
Due to its toxic nature, iron pentacarbonyl must be handled with extreme caution, as exposure to it can lead to severe health hazards. The inhalation or skin contact of iron pentacarbonyl can cause damage to the respiratory tract, lungs, eyes, and skin. Therefore, proper protective equipment and safety protocols are necessary when working with this compound.
The word "iron pentacarbonyl" is composed of several parts:
1. Iron: The term "iron" is derived from the Old English word "iren" and the Proto-Germanic word "īsarną". Its origins can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European root "h₁ésh₂r̥", meaning "blood" or "red".
2. Penta: The prefix "penta" comes from the Greek word "pénte" meaning "five". It is used to indicate that there are five carbon atoms in this compound.
3. Carbonyl: The term "carbonyl" is derived from the Latin word "carbo" meaning "charcoal" or "carbon" and the suffix "-yl", which is used in chemistry to represent an organic radical. It indicates the presence of a carbon monoxide (CO) ligand in the compound.