Lab preperation of Ammonium ferric citrate

[rohanprabhu]

I have decided to do a a cyanotype experiment for my chemistry investiagtory project, this year in school. To do that, I need Ammonium Ferric Citrate, which my school lab does not stock. Also, local retailers don't have it.

How can i prepare ammonium ferric citrate in my laboratory using common reagents. Some few common chemicals [like citric acid, if required might be available at a local chemicals retailer].

thanks a lot.

 

[chemisttree]

Apparently there are two forms of the stuff:

§ 184.1296 Ferric ammonium citrate.
(a) Ferric ammonium citrate (iron(III) ammonium citrate) is prepared by the reaction of ferric hydroxide with citric acid, followed by treatment with ammonium hydroxide, evaporating, and drying. The resulting product occurs in two forms depending on the stoichiometry of the initial reactants.
(1) Ferric ammonium citrate (iron (III) ammonium citrate, CAS Reg. No. (1332–98–5) is a complex salt of undetermined structure composed of 16.5 to 18.5 percent iron, approximately 9 percent ammonia, and 65 percent citric acid and occurs as reddish brown or garnet red scales or granules or as a brownish-yellowish powder.
(2) Ferric ammonium citrate (iron(III) ammonium citrate, CAS Reg. No.(1333–00–2) is a complex salt of undetermined structure composed of 14.5 to 16 percent iron, approximately 7.5 percent ammonia, and 75 percent citric acid and occurs as thin transparent green scales, as granules, as a powder, or as transparent green crystals.