Questions (to be included in your lab report)

Part A
1. From the average volume of KMnO4 solution used, calculate the concentration of the
KMnO4.

2. Why is it necessary to heat the oxalic acid solution?

3. In this experiment oxalic acid is used as a reducing agent. Could oxalic acid be used as
a primary standard to standardise a solution of a base, such as sodium hydroxide?
Explain your answer.
Part B
Given that MnO4− ion is being reduced to Mn2+ ion, and C2O42− ion is being oxidized to CO2, by
this redox equation.

Oxidation 5[Fe(C2O4)33- → Fe3+ + 6CO2 + 6e− ]

Reduction 6[MnO4− + 5e− + 8H+ → Mn2+ + 4H2O]
Overall reaction: 5Fe(C2O4)33- + 6MnO4 − + 48H+→ 5Fe3+ + 6Mn2+ + 30CO2 + 24H2O

1. Calculate the percentage by weight of oxalate ions in the complex.

2. Calculate the theoretical value of ozalate ions in the complex.

3. Calculate the percentage purity of the complex.