Aim

To determine the concentration/molarity/strength of potassium

permanganate (KMnO4) solution by titrating it against a 0.1M standard
solution of oxalic acid (COOH-COOH). 

Theory
KMnO4 is an oxidizing agent which works in an acidic medium more
strongly than an alkaline medium. So, for quantitative analysis
potassium permanganate is generally used in an acidic medium only. Its
oxidizing action can be represented by the following reaction in an
acidic medium – 

Reaction
MnO4-+8H++5e-Mn2++4H2O

We use sulphuric acid in this titration with KMnO 4. The solution which
contains MnO4- ion in it is purple in color. While the solution
containing Mn+2 ions is colorless. Thus, potassium permanganate when
reacts with a reducing agent it works as a self-indicator also.

In the experiment, oxalic acid acts as a reducing agent and KMnO 4 is

taken in an acidic medium of H2SO4. So, there is no need for an indicator
as potassium permanganate will act as a self-indicator. Thus, oxalic acid
can be titrated against potassium permanganate which includes the
following reactions – 

Reduction Half-reaction
2KMnO4+3H2SO4K2SO4+2MnSO4+3H2O+5 OO

Oxidation Half-reaction
H2C2O4+O60℃2CO2+H2O 5
2MnO4-+5C2O42-+16H+2Mn2++10CO2+8H2O

Here, in the above reaction, 2MnO4- is reduced to Mn2+ while C2O42-

oxidized to CO2.

Initially, when we add potassium permanganate into a conical flask

containing oxalic acid, it gets discharged and the solution remains
colourless. After complete consumption of oxalic acid ions, the endpoint
is indicated by a pink colour due to excess of unreacted potassium
permanganate (pink in colour). Potassium permanganate reacts with
sulphuric acid and forms manganese sulphate which works as a catalyst
for the reduction of MnO4-. That’s why the rate of reaction is slow in
the beginning while faster as it proceeds further. 

Material Required
Measuring flask, burette, burette stand, pipette, conical flask, funnel,
weighing bottle, glazed tile(white), burner, wire gauze, chemical
balance, oxalic acid, potassium permanganate solution, 1.0 M sulphuric
acid. 

Apparatus Setup
Potassium permanganate solution should be taken in the burette and
oxalic acid solution should be taken in a conical flask.

Procedure – 1
Preparation of 0.1M Standard Solution of Oxalic Acid.
Equivalent weight of oxalic acid =molecular weight/number of electrons
lost by one molecule.

molecular weight number of electrons lost by one molecule= 126/2 = 63 

Equivalent weight of oxalic acid is 63. 

Normality = molecular weight Equivalent mass of solute molarity

=12663 0.1

=0.2N

Strength = Normality/Equivalent weight

= 0.2/63

=12.6g/l

For the preparation of 1 litre of N/20 oxalic acid solution the amount of
oxalic acid required is 12.6g. The following steps should be followed - 
1. Weigh 12.6g of oxalic acid using a weighing machine. 
2. Now take the weighted oxalic acid in a measuring flask and add
distilled water to make the volume 1 litre.
3. This solution is a 0.2N standard solution of oxalic acid.

Procedure 2
Potassium Permanganate Solution Titration with an Oxalic Acid
Solution.
1. Rinse and fill a clean burette with potassium permanganate
solution. Burette must have a glass stop cock as rubber will get
affected by permanganate ions.
2. Remove the air bubbles from the nozzle of the burette.
3. Take 10 ml of oxalic acid solution in a clean conical flask. Add
5ml of 1.0M sulphuric acid to it.
4. Heat the solution up to 50-60℃ before titrating it with potassium
permanganate solution. 
5. To increase the visibility of the colour, keep the white tile below
the conical flask.
6. Note the initial reading of the burette containing potassium
permanganate.
7. Now start adding potassium permanganate through the burette in
small quantities into a hot oxalic acid solution.
8. Keep swirling the contents of the flask slowly.
9. Initially purple (pink) colour of potassium permanganate is
discharged on reaction with oxalic acid.
10. When a permanent pink colour appears, it indicates the end
point.
11. Note down the upper meniscus of the burette containing
potassium permanganate.
12. Repeat the titration till three times to obtain 3 concordant
readings.
Observation Table
S. Volume of Oxalic acid in Burette readings Volume of KMnO 4

No ml used
Initial Final V=(y-x) ml
(x) (y)
1
2
3

Calculations
The strength of potassium permanganate solution in terms of molarity
can be calculated by the following formula – 

a1m1v1=a2m2v2

a1 = number of electrons lost per formula unit of oxalic acid in a

balanced equation of half cell reaction which is 2. 

a2  = number of electrons gained per formula unit of potassium

permanganate in the balanced equation of half cell reaction which is 5. 

M1 = molarity of oxalic acid solution 

M2 = molarity of potassium permanganate solution. 

V1 = volume of oxalic acid solution 

V2 = volume of potassium permanganate solution 

On putting the value of a1 and a2,

Oxalic acid and Potassium permanganate 

2m1v1 = 5m2v2

M2= 2M1V1 / 5M2V2

For calculating the strength of the solution,

Strength = Molarity Molar mass 

Result – 1. Molarity of potassium permanganate solution - ____

                2. Strength of potassium permanganate solution - ____  

Precautions
Following precautions should be taken while performing the experiment
- 
1. Always rinse the burette and take out the bubbles at the nozzle of
the burette. 
2. Always rinse the burette and other flasks with distilled water
before using. 
3. KMnO4  is a dark colour solution so always use upper meniscus
reading. 
4. Use sulphuric acid for acidifying the potassium permanganate.
Don’t use HCl or nitric acid. 
5. Maintain the temperature of the oxalic acid solution at 50-60’C.
6. Do not use rubber cork. 
7. The strength of the solution should be taken till three decimals. 
8. Never use a burette with a broken nozzle.
9. While noting reading at the endpoint, no drop should be hanging at
the nozzle of the burette. 
10.  Endpoint should be detected carefully and precisely. 
11.  The pipette should be used carefully.