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How to Use Ferric Chloride to Destroy Chelators

Chelation is the formation of coordinate bonds between multiple bonded compounds (ligands) and a single atom. The single atom is usually surrounded by the ligands, which are commonly called chelators. Chelation is a technique to form soluble molecules with metal ions to be used in a variety of applications, but the removal of chelating agents is a difficult industry problem. Ferric chloride is a commodity chemical that is commonly used in ion exchange, which is one method to break chelation.

Things You'll Need

Ferric chloride crystals (25 grams)
Chelated solution with metal ion (not specific)
250 mL Erlenmeyer flask
Magnetic stirring rod
Stirring plate

Instructions

- 1
  Fill the Erlenmeyer flask with approximately 100 mL of the chelated solution. Add the magnetic stirring rod to the solution and place the flask on the stirring plate. Stir the solution gently (low setting).
- 2
  Add the 25 grams of ferric chloride crystals to the solution and increase the stirring. Allow to stir for 30 minutes.
- 3
  Turn off the stirring plate and allow the solution to settle for 24 hours. This will allow the displaced metal ions to drop out of solution. The chloride ions will have replaced the metal ions in the chelation solution and the chelator will be broken.

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