Experiment-6

TITRATION OF OXALIC ACID

Aim:
To prepare M/20 Oxalic Acid solution and determine the molarity and strength of solution of potassium
permagnate (KMNO4) by solution against a standard oxalic acid solution.
Theory:
Oxidising Agent:- KMNO4
Reducing Agent:- Oxalic Acid
Indicator:- KMNO4 act as self-indicator
End Point:- Solution Colour Change from Colourless to light pink.

To Prepare M/20 Solution of Oxalic Acid :-

Molecular Mass of Mohr’s Salt, (COOH)2= 126 g/mol
Hence, for preparing 1000ml of 1M Oxalic Acid Solution,
Oxalic Acid Required= 126
Therefore, for preparing 250 ml of M/20 Oxalic Acid Solution,
126 1
Oxalic Acid Required= x 250 x =1.575g
1000 20
Weight accurately 1.575g of Oxalic Acid and transfer into the conical flask having 250ml of distilled water.

The ionic equation involved in the process is given below:-

Oxidation half reaction – [C2O42- → 2CO2 + 2e–] x 5
Reduction half reaction –[ MnO4– + 8H+ + 5e– → Mn2+ + 4H2O] x 2
Overall ionic equation – MnO4– +5 C2O42 + 16H+ →2 Mn2+ + 2Mn2++ 8H2O

Materials Required:
Mohr’s salt (ferrous ammonium sulfate), Potassium permanganate solution, Dilute sulfuric acid, Chemical
balance
Burette, Burette stand, Pipette, Conical flask, Funnel, Measuring flask, Weighing bottle, Burner, Wire gauze

Procedure:
Titration of potassium permanganate solution against standard solution of Oxalic Acid:

1. Wash and rinse the burette and pipette with distilled water and then rinse with the corresponding solution to
be filled in them.
2. Rinse the burette with the potassium permanganate solution and fill the burette with potassium
permanganate solution.
3. Fix the burette in the burette stand and place the white tile below the burette in order to find the endpoint
correctly.
4. Pipette out 20ml standard Mohr’s salt solution into the conical flask.
5. Note down the initial reading in the burette before starting the titration.
6. Now start the titration, titrate against potassium permanganate solution and simultaneously swirl the
solution in the flask gently.
7. Initially, the purple colour of KMnO4 is discharged with Oxalic Acid. The appearance of a permanent pink
colour reveals the endpoint.
8. Repeat the titration until concordant values are obtained.
Note down the upper meniscus on the burette readings.
Record the reading in the observation table given below in order to calculate the molarity of KMnO4 given.

OBSERVATION TABLE :-
Concentration of KMNO4 Volume of KMNO4 Used
S.No.
Initial Reading(ml) Final Reading(ml)

1.

2.

3.

NOTE:_ OBSERVATION TABLE AND EQUATIONS MUST BE ON LEFT PAGE(Blank Page)

CALCULATIONS:
𝑀1𝑉1 𝑀2𝑉2
=
𝑎1 𝑎2
Where, M1= Molarity of KMNO4
V1= Volume of KMNO4
a1= Stoichiometric Coefficient of KMNO4
M2= Molarity of Oxalic Acid
V2= Volume of Oxalic Acid
a2= Stoichiometric Coefficient of Oxalic Acid
Results
Molarity of given KMnO4 solution is _________ moles/liter
The strength of given potassium permanganate solution is _______ g/L

Precautions:
1. Potassium permanganate is dark, so always read the upper meniscus.
2. Rinse the pipette and burette before use.
3. Clean all the apparatus with distilled water before starting the experiment and then rinse with the solution to
be taken in them.
4. Take accurate readings once it reaches the endpoint and doesn’t go with average readings.
5. Do not use a rubber cork burette as it can be attacked by KMnO4.