I have submerged a iron nail in vinegar twice recently. What is puzzling me is the different results each time. The first time I submerged it, it was covered in rust. When I put it in the solution of vinegar, I got a red precipitate dissolved in the solution that I believe was Iron(II) and Iron(III) acetate. However, when I put the newly cleaned nail in ANOTHER bath of the same concentration of vinegar, I did get some bubbles but no red precipitate that was dissolved in the solution. It's only been about 2 days, though. However, there was a black precipitate on the surface of the nail, but I do not believe it is iron acetate because of its color.
I am confused as to the results because Iron is higher than hydrogen on the activity series, so it SHOULD be reacting with the vinegar to give me that red precipitate and hydrogen gas. I added some hydrogen peroxide to the solution to oxidize the iron, and the solution is getting a reddish tint to it.
Why do you think I am not getting that reddish precipitate when I put in the cleaned iron nail in the new vinegar solution? Thank you!