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Now, this is an awkward reaction first of all. I know how to prepare $\ce{Fe2(CO3)3}$ from $\ce{FeCl3}$:

$$\ce{2FeCl3 + 3Na2CO3 -> 6NaCl + Fe2(CO3)3}$$

But the question is asking for $\ce{FeCO3}$. It seems to be an impossible task but since this was asked in a public examination, does anybody know how to prepare $\ce{FeCO3}$ from $\ce{FeCl3}$ (in one, two or three reactions)?

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  • $\begingroup$ I can't see how reducing it would be a problem $\endgroup$
    – Mithoron
    Commented Oct 12, 2015 at 14:37
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    $\begingroup$ Also, $\ce{Fe2(CO3)3}$ does not really exist. $\endgroup$
    – Ivan Neretin
    Commented Oct 12, 2015 at 14:40
  • $\begingroup$ @Mithoron could you please explain how I could reduce it? $\endgroup$
    – Gaurang Tandon
    Commented Oct 12, 2015 at 16:08
  • $\begingroup$ @IvanNeretin It doesn't really exist? How? Why? $\endgroup$
    – Gaurang Tandon
    Commented Oct 12, 2015 at 16:08
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    $\begingroup$ Being a salt of a weak acid and a weak base, it hydrolizes instantly and completely upon mixing. But that shouldn't bother us, for we don't need it anyway. We need $\ce{FeCO3}$; it is more or less OK. $\endgroup$
    – Ivan Neretin
    Commented Oct 12, 2015 at 16:40

2 Answers 2

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$$\ce{2FeCl3 + 2H2O + SO2 -> 2FeCl2 + H2SO4 + 2HCl}$$

$$\ce{FeCl2 + Na2CO3 -> FeCO3 + 2NaCl}$$

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    $\begingroup$ Welcome to Chemistry.SE! Take the tour to get familiar with this site. Mathematical expressions and equations can be formatted using $\LaTeX$ syntax. For more information in general have a look at the help center. At the moment this reads more like a comment than an actual answer - could you elaborate a little more. With a bit more rep, you will be able to post comments on any question/answer. $\endgroup$
    – Martin - マーチン ♦
    Commented Feb 16, 2016 at 11:18
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This is the simplest method I can think of:

$\mathrm{2FeCl_3+Fe\rightarrow3FeCl_2}$

$\mathrm{FeCl_2+Na_2CO_3\rightarrow FeCO_3+2NaCl}$

It only uses iron metal and sodium carbonate, which are readily available. Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) can be used instead of sodium carbonate, but a greater mass would be required. The iron metal should have a high surface area, perhaps in the form of iron powder or steel wool.

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