Experiments 4A-C:
Synthesis and Component Analysis of an Iron (III) Oxalate Complex
My Name
TA, Section B##
Work Performed on 10/23, 10/30, & 11/4, 200#
Report due Tuesday, November ##, 200#
1. Abstract
This experiment initially involved the synthesis of an iron (III) oxalate complex with the general formula Kw[Fex(C2O4)y]·zH2O. The variables x, y, and z were determined through the duration of the entire experiment. From 1.2000g of Fe(NH4)2(SO4)2 were synthesized 1.1###g of K3[FeIII(C2O4)3]·3H2O, owing for a percentage yield of 74.###%. A percentage yield of 11#.##% was also calculated, had the final product been K[FeIII(C2O4)2]·2H2O. This value was rejected because experimental errors are never to exceed theoretical values,
Experiment 4B invoked the use of redox titrating to determine the oxalate content (C2O42-) of the salt. An aqueous solution of the iron oxalate salt is prepared for titration, and the oxalate content is found through analysis by measuring the volume of titrant (.0100M KMnO4) needed to react completely with the known volume of analyte, or the species to be titrated. Here, it is the aqueous solution of the iron oxalate salt. The stoichiometric (or equivalence) point is the point at which equivalent stoichiometric amounts of the two species have reacted. A secondary indicator is often used to provide a visual clues; the indicator will change color at its endpoint. The defining characteristic of a good indicator is one that has its endpoint as close to the reaction’s stoichiometric point as possible. In Experiment 4B, a secondary indicator is not needed, for the intensely-colored permanganate solution serves as its own indicator through a redox reaction. The product Mn2+ has a faint pink color, which serves as the visual indicator that the stoichiometric point has been reached.
The permanganate ion is a strong oxidizing agent capable of oxidizing oxalic acid to carbon dioxide and water used to determine the concentration of oxalate ions within the synthesis product. In the redox reaction, oxalic acid is oxidized and permanganate