The nature of green alkaline iron sulfide solutions and the preparation of sodium iron(III) sulfide, NaFeS2
The intense emerald green solutions formed by the reaction of iron salts with alkali metal sulfides at pH 11–13 have been found to contain colloidal MFeS2, M = Li, Na, K. Solid KFeS2 and NaFeS2 have been recovered from these systems. X-ray powder diffraction studies confirmed the identity of KFeS2, and showed NaFeS2 to have a structure different from those of other MFeS2 compounds, and related to that of the mineral rasvumite, K3Fe9S14. Some aspects of the crystal structures and chemistry of different MFeS2 compounds are discussed. A mechanism for the formation of colloidal MFeS2 is proposed on the basis of kinetic data. It is likely that colloidal NaFeS2 is responsible for the colour of the "green liquor" of the pulp and paper industry.