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Iron is a very versatile material. By functioning as a chelate, iron becomes a part of a chemical system containing several components. This exercises a favorable influence on the processes within the system. Products that are improved by ferritic chelates include:

• in AGRICULTURE Ferric chelates are used as micro-nutrients, because of their buffering capacity for the maintenance of a suitable free iron ion concentration in soils, hydroponics and foliar sprays. Chelates are used in acid solutions containing acetic acid groups, and in alkaline solutions containing both acetic acid and ethanol groups.

• in PHOTOGRAPHY Chelated ferric ions are used in combined bleach-fix baths to oxidize metallic silver into soluble silver ions, which can then be washed from the film to produce a bleaching effect. Ferric EDTA salts are also used in color film development.

• in POLYMERIZATION Ferric (Fe³⁺) and Ferrous (Fe²⁺) ions play a central role in the initiation of emulsion polymerization processes to produce synthetic rubbers.

• in the LEATHER INDUSTRY Chelates are used as carriers of various metal ions, among them ferric ions, in various tanning processes.

• in HYDROGEN SULFIDE REMOVAL Ferric ions catalyze the conversion of H₂S to elementary sulfur. This is utilized in the refining of stack gases. By chelation of the ferric ions, they are activated and their precipitation is prevented.

• in PHARMACEUTICALS Pharmaceuticals containing iron are widely used to treat iron-deficiency anemia. Iron powder is often used in the manufacture of pharmaceutical compounds, which include iron salts of gluconic and citric acid. Both these acids have chelating properties.