FeCl2
Iron chloride
Fe2+ balances chloride ions.
What Is the Charge of Iron?
Iron commonly forms Fe2+ Fe3+ in introductory ionic compounds.
Quick answer: Iron usually has a common ionic charge of +2 or +3, written as Fe2+ or Fe3+.
| Element | Iron |
|---|---|
| Symbol | Fe |
| Atomic number | 26 |
| Common ionic charge | +2, +3 |
| Common ions | Fe2+, Fe3+ |
Why Iron has this charge
Iron is a transition metal. Transition metals can have multiple charges, so compound names and roman numerals matter.
This is a classroom reference range, not an exhaustive list of all oxidation states.
Iron charge examples
FeO
Iron oxide
Iron can form oxides where total positive and negative charge balances.
FAQ
Is Iron charge the same as oxidation state?
Ionic charge is the charge on an actual ion. Oxidation state is a bookkeeping number used inside compounds. They can match, but they are not always the same thing.
How do I use this in formulas?
Combine positive and negative ions so the total charge is zero. You can also use the ionic compound calculator.
Where can I see the full chart?
Use the periodic table with charges or the ionic charges chart.