Solute structuring in iron(III) chloride solutions. II. Evidence of polynuclear complex formation in the FeCl3⋅6H2O melt by the ‘‘isoelectronic solutions’’ method

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Abstract
Two iron(III) chloride solutions, prepared in suitable chemical conditions, have been examined by the x‐ray diffraction technique. The two solutions are isoelectronic (i.e., they have the same average scattering power per chlorine atom) with the hydrated FeCl3⋅6H2O melt previously examined [J. Chem. Phys. 71, 4255 (1979)]. A comparison of the radial distribution function of the melt with those of the two solutions (reference solutions) leads to the conclusion that polynuclear complex formation occurs in the melt and that a bitetrahedral Fe2Cl6 molecule is the most probable polynuclear species formed in this system. An analysis of the Fe–Cl association in the reference solutions has been also performed and the results substantially agree with those obtained previously.