Iron(III) oxide

Iron(III) oxide, also known as rust, is a reddish substance, an iron oxide. It has a chemical formula of Fe₂O₃. It is made by the reaction of iron with oxygen. It is found naturally in the ground as hematite, the major ore which blast furnaces use to smelt iron. It dissolves in acids. It can be mixed with fine powdered granules of aluminum in a 27:80 ratio to form thermite, a semi-explosive powder.

Iron(III) oxide

The iron is in the +3 oxidation state, which is what the III means. If the iron was in the +2 oxidation state, it would be iron(II) oxide.

Related pages

• Rust
• Hematite