Data and Calculations: Determination of Keq for a Chemical Reaction

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Part A. Fill in the table below. Specify the unit used for the heights of the sample mixtures and reference solutions.

Concentration of FeSCN2+ in the reference solution: _________________

Computation:

Mixture Volume in mL, Volume in mL, Volume in Total volume Height of Height of [FeSCN2+]
2.00x10-3 M 2.00x10-3 M mL, water in mL Sample Reference
FeCl3 KSCN Mixture solution
1
2
3
4
5

Sample computation of [FeSCN2+] for mixture 1:

Using the 5-step approach, fill in the table below and compute for the average Keq for the reaction

Fe3+(aq) + SCN–(aq) ⇄ FeSCN2+(aq)

together with the standard deviation.

Initial no. of moles Equilibrium no. of moles Equilibrium Concentrations Keq

Mixture
Fe3+ SCN– Fe3+ SCN– FeSCN2+ [Fe3+] [SCN–] [FeSCN2+]
1
2
3
4
5

Average Keq: Standard Deviation:

Sample computations for mixture 1:

Initial no. of moles of Fe3+ Initial no. of moles of SCN–

Equilibrium no. moles of Fe3+ Equilibrium no. moles of SCN–

[Fe3+], [SCN–], [FeSCN2+] Keq

Based on your average Keq, does the reaction favor the reactant side or the product side? Explain your answer.

Part B. In calculating Keq in Part A, we assume (correctly) that the formula of the complex ion is FeSCN2+. To prove that this is
correct, let us take another species that could possibly formed by Fe3+ and SCN–:
Fe3+(aq) + 2 SCN–(aq) ⇄ Fe(SCN)2+(aq)
Using the 5-step approach, calculate the Keq for the above reaction. In this case, [Fe(SCN)2+] will be one-half of the [FeSCN2+]
obtained in part A. Further, note that two moles SCN– are needed to form one mole Fe(SCN)2+. This changes the expression for Keq
and the amount you will subtract from the initial moles of SCN–.

Fill in the table below for mixtures 1, 3, and 5.

Initial no. of moles Equilibrium no. of moles Equilibrium Concentrations Keq
Mixture 3+ – 3+ –
Fe SCN Fe SCN Fe(SCN)2 [Fe3+]
+
[SCN–] [Fe(SCN)2+]
1
3
5

Sample computations for mixture 1:

 Initial no. of moles of Fe3+ Initial no. of moles of SCN–

Equilibrium no. moles of Fe3+ Equilibrium no. moles of SCN–

[Fe3+], [SCN–], [FeSCN2+] Keq

Based on the Keq values that you have calculated, do you think our assumption that FeSCN2+ is formed instead of Fe(SCN)2+ is valid?
Explain your answer.