Thermal analysis of iron(II) sulphate heptahydrate in air

Iron(II) sulphate hydrates (hexa- through mono-) have been prepared and their thermal decomposition behaviours have been studied in air by isothermal and dynamic thermal analysis methods. The results show that their behaviours are similar to that of the heptahydrate. The stepwise loss of water molecules is accompanied by oxidation. Under a restricted supply of oxygen, the anhydrous sulphate is oxidized directly to Fe₂O(SO₄)₂ without the formation of Fe(OH)SO₄. When free exchange with oxygen is allowed, Fe(OH)SO₄ is formed, which in turn decomposes to Fe₂O(SO₄)₂. The decomposition of Fe₂(SO₄)₂ to iron(III) oxide and sulphur oxides appears to occur via two independent paths — one direct and other through iron(III) sulphate.