Transformation of ferric compounds into iron oxides

Ferrihydrite (2.5 Fe2O2-4.5 H2O) is an unstable colloidal mineral. It dissolves in highly alkaline solutions and is precipitated from them in the form of goethite. Jarosite is stable at very low pH but is decomposed at higher values of pH with separation of iron oxides. Experiments show that in rapid decomposition of jarosite a protohematite substance, ferrihydrite, is formed. This transformation occurs at moderate pH values when solutions percolate through the aggregates of jarosite. Ferrihydrite, an unstable colloidal hydrated oxide of ferric iron, changes spontaneously to stable hematite with time. Very slow decomposition of jarosite results in its replacement by iron hydroxide, goethite. Under laboratory conditions in alkaline solutions lepidocrocite may be obtained from jarosite. The synthesis of this iron hydroxide passes through a stage of intermediate products: ferrihydrite and hydrated ferric oxide - ferriprotolepidocrocite, formed by solution of ferrihydrite in strongly alkaline solutions. The transformation of ferriprotolepidocrocite into lepidocrocite may be regarded as a topotactic reaction. —Authors.