Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Chemistry => Topic started by: carmen price on 19/02/2009 03:47:56

Title: What is the chemical difference between iron pills and iron nails?
Post by: carmen price on 19/02/2009 03:47:56

whats the chemical difference in iron tablets
and iron nails?  [???]  [???]  [???]

Title: Re: What is the chemical difference between iron pills and iron nails?
Post by: Chemistry4me on 19/02/2009 07:22:34

Iron in iron nails exists as a metallic solid. It has metallic properties – is hard, strong and long lasting. It can be used to produce building materials such as iron nails.
Iron in iron tablets has reacted to form a compound. Metallic properties are destroyed and the
compound is able to make iron available in a form that can be absorbed by the body.

Title: Re: What is the chemical difference between iron pills and iron nails?
Post by: lancenti on 19/02/2009 08:13:10

Iron Nails:

Just iron metal. i.e. Oxidation State 0
May or may not be alloyed with other metals

Iron Tablets:

Probably an iron salt. i.e. Oxidation States 2+ or 3+

Title: What is the chemical difference between iron pills and iron nails?
Post by: chris on 03/03/2009 09:12:03

Iron in iron tablets is in the Fe 2+ oxidation state, which is the most "bioavailable" i.e. accessible to the human body.

Some iron-rich foodstuffs - like spinach - are paradoxically low in bioavailable iron because it's all bound up in an unusable oxidation state.

Not surprisingly the best sources of dietary iron are red meat and black puddings - because the iron in these is already in a bioavailable state.

Furthermore, consuming some ascorbic acid (vitamin C) alongside something iron-rich is a good way to boost iron uptake because it can competitively prevent iron oxidation (being the anti-oxidant that it is).

Chris