ferric chloride

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a compound that in its anhydrous form, FeCl 3 , occurs as a black-brown, water-soluble solid; in its hydrated form, FeCl 3 ⋅xH 2 O, it occurs in orange-yellow, deliquescent crystals: used chiefly in engraving, for deodorizing sewage, as a mordant, and in medicine as an astringent and styptic.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ferric chloride¹

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

It gave a bluish-black color with impure ferrous sulphate and a dark color with ferric chloride.

From Project Gutenberg

An alcoholic solution of this substance gave a dark color with ferric chloride and a light colored precipitate with lead acetate.

From Project Gutenberg

A small portion of the tar residue in alcoholic solution gave a color reaction with ferric chloride.

From Project Gutenberg

The filtrate did not give any color with ferric chloride, but it reduced Fehling solution.

From Project Gutenberg

This solution was yellow and gave a reaction with ferric chloride similar to that of gallic acid.

From Project Gutenberg