Iron(III) citrate
Ferric citrate or iron(III) citrate describes any of several complexes formed upon binding any of the several conjugate bases derived from citric acid with ferric ions. Most of these complexes are orange or red-brown. They contain two or more Fe(III) centers.
One of several ferric citrate complexes | |
Names | |
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IUPAC name
iron(3+) 2-hydroxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylate | |
Identifiers | |
3D model (JSmol) |
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ChEBI | |
ChemSpider | |
ECHA InfoCard | 100.020.488 |
PubChem CID |
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UNII | |
CompTox Dashboard (EPA) |
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SMILES
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Properties | |
C6H5FeO7 | |
Molar mass | 244.944 g·mol−1 |
Appearance | dark orange-red brown solid |
~5 g/L in water | |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Infobox references |
Ferric citrates contribute to the metabolism of iron by some organisms. Citrates, which are released by plant roots and by some microorganisms, can solubilize iron compounds in the soil. For example ferric hydroxide reacts with citrates to give form soluble complexes. This solubilization provides a pathway for the absorption of the ferric ions by various organisms.
Ferric citrate is used in medicine to regulate the blood levels of iron in patients with chronic kidney disease on dialysis. It acts by forming an insoluble compound with phosphate present in the diet and thus minimizing its uptake by the digestive system.