19-4-2021

Metals and
their
compounds
report

Pablo López Cortés

L7I GROUP
INDEX

1. Potassium alum from aluminum.

2. Cementation of copper.

3. Copper oxides and reactivity.

4. Aluminothermy: production of metallic iron.

5. Study of the reactivity of the main and transition

metal groups.

METALS AND
THEIR
COMPOUNDS
1. Potassium alum from
aluminum.

1) What volume of commercial sulfuric acid is required

to prepare 10 mL of 9 M solution?

ρ commercial H2SO4 = 1.83g/mL

w/w % = 95%

−3 9 moles H 2 S O 4
10 ×1 0 L× =0.09 moles H 2 S O 4
1L
98.079 g pure H 2 S O 4 100 g commercial H 2 S O 4 1 mL commercial H 2 S O 4
0.09 moles H 2 S O 4 × × × =5.077 m
1 mol H 2 S O 4 95 g pure H 2 S O 4 1.83 g H 2 S O 4
2) Write down the main reactions that take place and adjust them:

a. Reaction of Al with potassium hydroxide.

1. Al(s) + KOH (aq)--------K[Al(OH)4](aq)

(Al0(s)------ Al+3 (aq)+3e-)·2

(2H2O(l)+2OH-(aq)+2e-2H2(g)+4OH-(aq))·3

6H2O(l)+6OH-(aq)+ 2Al0(s)3H2(g)+12OH-(aq)+2Al3+(aq)

a)Adjusted :6H2O(l)+6KOH(aq)+ 2Al0(s)3H2(g)+2 K[Al(OH)4](aq)+4KOH(aq)

Al is an amphoteric substance that with bases reacts as an acid.

The counterion of aluminum tetrahydroxide (aluminate) is K +.

b. Reaction of the species formed in the previous step (a.) with sulfuric acid.

2.b) K[Al(OH)4](aq)+2H2SO4(aq)+8H2O(l)-----KAl(SO4)2 ·12H2O(s)

Also, there is a side reaction whose product is dissolved using an excess of H 2SO4.

[Al(OH)4]-(aq)+H2SO4(aq)-----Al(OH)3(s)=AlO(OH)(s)=Al2O3+nH2O(s)

c. Global reaction of the process. If redox processes exist, write the half-reactions and their
corresponding potentials.

Due to in the first reaction we obtained 2 moles of the aluminate we need to multiply by two
the second reaction that only uses one mole. Then:

Addition of a+2b:

22H2O(l)+2Al(s)+2KOH (aq)+4H2SO4 (aq)---2KAl (SO4)2·12H2O(s)+3H2

This reaction is a redox reaction.

(Al0(s)------ Al+3 (aq)+3e-) (Eº=1.676V)·2

(2H2O(l)+2OH-(aq)+2e-2H2(g)+4OH-(aq))·3 (Eº=-0.059pH=-0.826V) basic media pH=14

22H2O(l)+2Al(s)+2KOH (aq)+4H2SO4 (aq)---2KAl (SO4)2·12H2O(s)+3H2 (Eº=0.874V) Spontaneous

3) Calculate the yield of the process of obtaining potassium alum

1 mol Al 2mol alum

0.3 gAl ( s ) × × =0.011 moles alum limitant reactant
26.98 g Al 2mol Al
1 mol KOH 2 mol alum
1.3 g KOH ( aq ) × × =0.023 mol alum
56.11 g KOH 2 mol KOH
1 mol Al 2mol alum 474.39 g alum
0.3 gAl ( s ) × × × =5.218 g alum=theor . yield
26.98 g Al 2mol Al 1 mol alum
3.15 g
yield= ×100 %=60 %
5.218 g
4) What gas is released when mixing aluminum and potassium hydroxide?

This gas is H2, that it is produce due to the redox process where Al 0 becomes to Al+3.

(2H2O(l)+2OH-(aq)+2e-2H2(g)+4OH-(aq))

5) What precipitate can be formed in the process, which is dissolved by the addition of more
sulfuric acid?

The precipitate that can be formed is Al(OH) 3.

This is a side reaction whose product is dissolved using an excess of H 2SO4.

[Al(OH)4]-(aq)+H2SO4(aq)-----Al(OH)3(s)=AlO(OH)(s)=Al2O3+nH2O(s)

2. Cementation of copper.
1) Write down and adjust all the reactions that take
place. If there are redox processes, write the half-
reactions and their corresponding potentials.

CuO(s)+H2SO4(aq)------CuSO4(aq)+H2O(l) acid-base

Also CuSO4 can react with H2O:

CuSO4(aq)+6H2O(l) [Cu(H2O)6]SO4(aq)

CuSO4(aq)+4H2O(l) [Cu(H2O)4]SO4(aq)

[Cu(H2O)6]SO4(aq)+Fe(s)[Fe(H2O)6]SO4(aq)+Cu(s)

Cu+2+2e-Cu (Eº=0.160V)

FeFe+2+2e- (Eº=0.440V)

Cu+2+ FeCu+ Fe+2 (Eº=0.600V) Spontaneous

Cu(s)+2HNO3(conc)+ 2H2O(l)CuO(s)+2NO2(g)+2H2O(l)

(CuCu+2+2e-)(Eº=-0.160V)

(1e-+2H++NO3-NO2+H2O)·2 (Eº=0.81V)

Cu+4H++2NO3- Cu+2+2NO2+2H2O (Eº=1.46V)Spontaneous

2) Why did you dilute the copper containing solution before adding the iron nails?

Because the solvent is concentrated sulfuric acid that can react as an oxidant at this
concentration, and it can oxidizes the iron of the nails instead of having a redox reaction with
cooper and iron.

3) What is due to the color change in the solution after the addition of iron nails?

After the addition of nails occurs the color change in the solution goes from greenish blue to
transparent. Due to the copper at the beginning is in oxidation state +2, and then occurs a
redox reaction with the iron of the nails where Cu 0 is obtained coating the nails, and the color
of the solution turns to transparent. (without Cu +2). Also, it is FeO is formed that is a red oxide.

3. Copper oxides and reactivity.

1) Write down the reaction that occurs when copper(II) sulfate pentahydrate reacts with
hydroxylamine chloride in the presence of sodium hydroxide.

2CuSO4·5H2O(s)+2H3NOHCl(aq)+6NaOH(aq)Cu2O(aq)+N2(g)+2Na2SO4(aq)+17H2O(l)+2NaCl(aq)

2) Calculate who is the limiting reagent in the process of obtaining copper(I) oxide.

1 mol CuS O4 ·5 H 2 O 1mol C u2 O

5 gCuSO 4 · 5 H 2 O × × =0.02 mol C u 2 O
249.68 g CuS O4 ·5 H 2 O 1 mol CuSO 4 · 5 H 2 O
1 mol H 3 NOHCl 1 mol C u 2 O
1.25 g H 3 NOHCl × × =0.018 mol C u2 O lim . reactant
69.49 g H 3 NOHCl 1 mol H 3 NOHCl
3) What happens when copper(I) oxide is left in the air?
Write down the reaction that takes place.

The oxidation of cooper to form cooper (II) oxide (most

stable oxidation state)

2Cu2O(s)+O2(g)CuO(s)

(Cu+Cu+2+1e-)·4 (Eº=-0.16V)

(4e-+O22O2-) (Eº=1.23V)

O2+4Cu+4Cu+2+2O2- (Eº=0.59V)

4) When copper (II) sulfate pentahydrate is reacted with

sodium hydroxide a light blue solid is initially formed which
is then dissolved by the addition of more sodium
hydroxide. Write down the reactions that take place,
indicate what kind and what is the chemical behavior of the
reagents involved.

2CuSO4·5H2O(s)+NaOH(aq)Cu(OH)2+Na2SO4(aq) acid-base reaction (formation of a complex)

Acid base cuprate=> amphoter acid

With the addition of more NaOH

Cu(OH)2(aq)+2 NaOH(aq)Na2Cu(OH)4(aq) homoleptic hydroxide complex

Amphoter base Sodium tetrahydroxycuprate

5) Write down the reaction that occurs when copper(I) oxide is reacted with 2 M sulfuric
acid, indicating the type of reaction.

In acid media Cu+ disproportionates Cu2O(s)+ 2H2SO4(aq)CuSO4(aq)+Cu(s)+H2O(l)

Cu++1e-Cu (Eº= 0.518V)

Cu+1e-+Cu2+ (Eº=-0.160V)

2Cu+Cu+ Cu2+ (Eº=0.358V)

4. Aluminothermy: production of metallic iron.
1) Write down all the reactions that take place and
adjust them.

1.Mg(s)+O2(g)---heat--MgO2(s)

(MgMg+2 +2e-)·2(Eº=2.3568V)

(4e-+O22O2-) (Eº=1.23V) Spontaneous

2Mg+O22Mg++2O- (Eº=5.9436V)

2.3BaO2(s)+2Al(s)--heat--3BaO(s)+Al2O3(s)

(Al0(s)------ Al+3 (aq)+3e-)·2 (Eº=1.676V)

(2e- +O22-2O2- ) ·3(Eº=1.76V)

2Al+3O22-6O2-+2 Al+3 (Eº=8.632V) Spontaneous

3.Fe2O3(s)+2Al(s)--heat--2Fe(s)+Al2O3(s)

Al0(s)-- Al+3 (aq)+3e- (Eº=1.676V)

Fe+3+3e-Fe (Eº=-0.037V)

Al0+ Fe+3Fe+ Al+3 (Eº=1.639) Spontaneous

2) What is the function of barium peroxide?

The aluminothermic reactions need a lot of initiation energy to occur. On the other hand,
barium peroxide does not need too much heat to react and produce enough energy to favors
the aluminothermy. For this reason, we heat the magnesium ribbon (due to it is a good
thermal conductor) to start the reaction of barium peroxide with aluminum that produces the
enough energy to begin the aluminothermy.

3) Calculate the global yield.

1 mol F e 2 O 3 2 mol Fe
limitant reactant=¿ 5 g F e2 O3 × × =0.0626 mol Fe
159.69 g F e2 O 3 1 mol F e 2 O 3
1 mol Al 2 mol Fe
2.5 g Al × × =0.092mol Fe
26.98 g Al 2 mol Al
1mol F e 2 O3 2 mol Fe 55.845 g Fe
5 g F e 2 O3 × × × =3.497 g Fe
159.69 g F e 2 O 3 1 mol F e 2 O3 1 mol Fe
3.39 g Fe
Yield= × 100 %=97 %
3.497 g Fe
4) Would magnesium be obtained by aluminothermy?

No, aluminothermy reduction of Mg is very unfavorable due to its low reduction potential

(-2,3568V). (So, magnesium is very difficult to separate from its oxide, “very reductant”).
5) Calculate ΔG for obtaining 1.5 moles of iron from Fe2O3 and aluminum at 1000 ºC using
the Ellingham’s diagram.

6 F e 2 O3 → 4 F e2 O4 +O2 ( 225 kJ )

(2 F e 3 O4 → 6 FeO+O2 )× 2 ( 300 kJ ×2 )

(2 FeO → 2 Fe+O2 )× 6 ( 360 kJ ×6 )

6 F e 2 O3 →12 Fe+9 O2 ( 2985 kj )

2985 KJ
1.5 mol Fe × =373.125 KJ
12mol Fe
For Al, ΔG=-915KJ per 2/3

2mol Al −915 KJ
1.5 mol Fe × × =¿-2058.75 KJ
2 mol Fe 2/3 mol Al
ΔGTOTAL=-2058.75+373.125=-1685.625 KJ for 1.5 moles of iron

5. Study of the reactivity of the main and transition

metal groups.
1) Before starting the experiments, write down all the
reactions that are expected to take place and adjust
them, indicating what kind they are. Predict whether the
reactions are going to be spontaneous or not, using the
attached standard electrode potential table and the
water stability diagram.

All the reactions that take place are redox.

a) Reaction with water:

Mg(s)+2H2O(l) Mg(OH)2(s)+H2(g) redox reaction

(MgMg+2 +2e-)(Eº=2.3568V)

2H++H2OH2 +H2O+2e- (Eº=-0.413V)

Mg+2H++H2OH2+H2O (Eº=1.9438V) Spontaneous

Fe(s)+H2O(l) No reaction

Eº=3(-0.413)+2(0.037)=-1.165V non Spontaneous

Zn(s)+H2O(l) No reaction

Eº=(-0.413)+(0.7621)=0.3491V non Spontaneous

Cu(s)+H2O(l) No reaction

Eº=(-0.413)-0.3394=-0.7524V non Spontaneous

b) Reaction with hot water:

Mg(s)+2H2O(l)—heat-- Mg (OH)2(s)+H2(g)

The same reaction than previous one but faster.

Fe(s)+H2O(l) No reaction

Zn(s)+H2O(l) No reaction

Cu(s)+H2O(l) No reaction

c) Reaction with acids:

I) With HCl.

Mg(s)+2HCl(l)MgCl2(aq)+H2(g)

Eº=2.3568+0=2.3568V Spontaneous

Fe(s)+2HCl(l)FeCl2(aq)+H2(g)

Eº=0.440+0=0.440V Spontaneous

Cu(s)+HCl(l) No reaction

Eº=-0.3394+0=-0.3394V non spontaneous

Zn(s)+2HCl(l)ZnCl2(aq)+H2(g)

Eº=0.7621+0=0.7621V Spontaneous

II) With HNO3.

Mg(s)+4HNO3(l)Mg(NO3)2+2NO2+2H2O

Eº=2.3568+0.81=2.3568V Spontaneous

Fe(s)+4HNO3(l) Fe(NO3)2+2NO2+2H2O

Eº= 0.440+0.81=1.25V Spontaneous

Cu(s)+4HNO3(l) Cu(NO3)2+2NO2+2H2O
Eº= =-0.3394+0.81=0.4706V Spontaneous

Zn(s)+4HNO3(l) Zn(NO3)2+2NO2+2H2O

Eº= 0.7621+0.81=1.5721V Spontaneous

d)With sulfates.

Fe(s)+MgSO4(aq)No reaction

Eº=0.440-2.3568=-1.9168V Non spontaneous

Cu(s)+MgSO4(aq)No reaction

Eº=-0.3394-2.3568=-2.6962V Non spontaneous

Mg(s)+FeSO4(aq)MgSO4(aq)+Fe(s)

Eº=2.3568-0.440=1.9168V Spontaneous

Cu(s)+FeSO4(aq)No reaction

Eº=-0.3394-0.440= -0.7794V Non Spontaneous

Mg(s)+CuSO4(aq)MgSO4(aq)+Cu(s)

Eº=2.3568+0.3394=2.6963V Spontaneous

Fe(s)+CuSO4(aq)FeSO4+Cu

Eº=0.440+0.3394=0.7794V Spontaneous

As conclusion, we can say that Mg can react with CuSO 2 and FeSO2, but Cu and Fe cannot react
with MgSO4 due to their standard potential.