Final answer:
Fe 2+ and Fe 3+ ions possess magnetic properties due to their unpaired electrons which create magnetic moments. These ions in ferromagnetic materials like magnetite contribute to magnetic domains, aligning these moments for a stronger magnetic effect. Iron-sulfur coordination in high-spin states further strengthens this magnetism.
Step-by-step explanation:
Fe 2+ and Fe 3+ ions exhibit magnetic properties due to the presence of unpaired electrons. In the case of Fe 2+, it has four unpaired electrons, while Fe 3+ typically has five unpaired electrons when in high-spin complexes like [Fe(H₂O)6]3+ and [FeF6]3-. These unpaired electrons contribute to magnetism by creating magnetic moments that align with external magnetic fields. Moreover, in materials like magnetite (Fe3O4), which is a form of ferromagnetic material, the iron ions are part of magnetic domains where these moments are aligned in the same direction, enhancing the magnetic effect.
The oxidation states of iron contribute to its magnetism, where fractional oxidation states are observable, such as in Fe3O4, which consists of two Fe3+ ions and one Fe2+ ion, resulting in ferromagnetic properties. This structure is facilitated by the iron-sulfur units, where both Fe2+ and Fe3+ are coordinated to four sulfur ligands in a tetrahedral environment. This coordination, coupled with the high spin state of the iron due to weak-field sulfur ligands, results in a substantive number of unpaired electrons contributing to a strong magnetic effect.