EXP 40 Redox Titration

AIM: To determine the percentage Fe2+ ions in an iron (II) salt by potassium manganate
(VII) titration.

Introduction
Potassium manganate (VII), KMnO4 , in acidic solution is a strong oxidizing agent. It
accepts electrons easily and is reduced to Mn2+ ions which appear colourless in
solution. The half equation is:

MnO4 – (aq) + 8H+(aq) + 5e- Mn2+ (aq) + 4H20(l)

The electrons for this oxidation can be provided by a reducing agent, such as Fe2+ ions:

Fe2+(aq) Fe3+(aq) + e-

Therefore, by carrying out a redox titration, in which the manganate (VII) ion itself acts
as the indicator, the percentage Fe2+ ions in an iron (II) salt can be determined.

Equipment Chemicals

100cm3 beaker ammonium ferrous sulphate

250cm3 volumetric flask ((Fe(NH4)2(SO4)2.6H2O))
filter funnel 1M sulphuric acid
25cm3 pipette 0.02M potassium manganate (VII)
100cm3 measuring cylinder distilled water
50cm3 burette
burette stand
conical flasks

Procedure
1. Preparation of a standard solution of an iron (II) salt
  Weigh out accurately between 9.7 and 9.9g of ammonium ferrous sulphate
((Fe(NH4)2(SO4)2.6H2O))
 Dissolve the crystals in about 50cm3 of 1M sulphuric acid without heating
 Transfer the solution and washings to a 250cm3 volumetric flask
 Make up to the mark with water, stopper the flask and shake well to form
a homogenous solution.

2. Titration with potassium manganate (VII)

 Pipette 25cm3 of the iron (II) salt solution into a conical flask and add
about 20cm3 of 1M sulphuric acid.
 Titrate with 0.02M potassium manganate (VII) solution until a faint
permanent pink tinge is seen. Record each titre to two decimal places.
 Repeat to obtain at least two concordant titres (+/- 0.2 cm3 )
Results
Present your results in an appropriate form.

Trial 0.02M potassium manganate (VII)

Initial volume (cm3) Final volume (cm3)
1 50 23.8
2 50 24
3 50 24

Use your results to calculate the percentage Fe2+ ions in the original sample.

Moles of MnO4 = 0.02 x (24/1000)

= 0.00048 mol

Moles of Fe2+ in 25 cm3 = 5 x 0.00048

= 0.0024 mol

Moles of Fe2+ in 250cm3 = 0.0024 x 10

= 0.024 mol

Mass of Fe= 55.8 x 0.024

= 1.34g

% of Fe= (1.34/9.8) x100

=13.67%