Dissolving FeS2 (iron disulfide, iron pyrite)

THX-1138 · THX-1138 *(Meson)*

Dissolving FeS2 (iron disulfide, iron pyrite)

I have some finely-divided iron disulfide, possibly mixed with some other things, that I wish to 'dissolve' away -- or at any rate remove from the mix. What would be a good way of doing this using fairly safe chemicals? (I.e., not concentrated nitric acid, although H₂SO₄ or HCl are possible.) Among the things that may be left behind are SiO₂ and microscopic amounts of gold, neither of which I'm concerned about being affected by the solvents.

If I heat FeS₂, won't it break down and leave me with elemental Fe and SO₂? If so, perhaps then I could act directly on the iron and make it into a soluble compound that could be dissolved and washed away..

olmpiad · olmpiad *(Meson)*

Just react it with some HCl, the Fe will go into solution, and the S will be given off as H2S.

YT2095 · YT2095 *(Chemistry Expert)*

Heat It, it will Then decompose, most acids won`t touch it.

THX-1138 · THX-1138 *(Meson)*

Decompose like Old Bach

'S what I thought. However, I haven't been able to find any reference for the temperature at which it starts to break down. Any pointers?

Ta..

olmpiad (Meson)	July 4th, 2007, 11:59 AM #2
Just react it with some HCl, the Fe will go into solution, and the S will be given off as H2S. ______________ Am I Lost, Or Just Confused....
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YT2095 (Chemistry Expert)	July 4th, 2007, 12:35 PM #3
Chemistry Expert Heat It, it will Then decompose, most acids won`t touch it.
Joined Aug 2003 \| 14,168 posts Rep Power: 21 \| Reputation: \| YT2095's Blog

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THX-1138 (Meson)	June 29th, 2007, 8:49 PM #1
Dissolving FeS2 (iron disulfide, iron pyrite) I have some finely-divided iron disulfide, possibly mixed with some other things, that I wish to 'dissolve' away -- or at any rate remove from the mix. What would be a good way of doing this using fairly safe chemicals? (I.e., not concentrated nitric acid, although H₂SO₄ or HCl are possible.) Among the things that may be left behind are SiO₂ and microscopic amounts of gold, neither of which I'm concerned about being affected by the solvents. If I heat FeS₂, won't it break down and leave me with elemental Fe and SO₂? If so, perhaps then I could act directly on the iron and make it into a soluble compound that could be dissolved and washed away..
Joined Jun 2007 \| 80 posts \| Location: In orbit around Sol at 1.0 AU Rep Power: 3 \| Reputation:

THX-1138 (Meson)	July 12th, 2007, 3:55 PM #4
Decompose like Old Bach 'S what I thought. However, I haven't been able to find any reference for the temperature at which it starts to break down. Any pointers? Ta..
Joined Jun 2007 \| 80 posts \| Location: In orbit around Sol at 1.0 AU Rep Power: 3 \| Reputation: