Practical No 5

Omario Norman
Title: Redox Reaction
Aim: To determine the iron content in an unknown solution of iron (II) sulfate by redox titration
using potassium manganate (VII) in acidic solution.
Introduction: As with acid-base titrations, a redox titration (also called an oxidation-reduction
titration) can accurately determine the concentration of an unknown analyte by measuring it
against a standardized titrant. A common example is the redox titration of a standardized solution
of potassium permanganate (KMnO4) against an analyte containing an unknown concentration of
iron (II) ions (Fe2+). In this case, the use of KMnO4 as a titrant is particularly useful, because it
can act as its own indicator; this is because the KMnO4 solution is bright purple, while the Fe2+
solution is colorless. It is therefore possible to see when the titration has reached its endpoint,
because the solution will remain slightly purple from the unreacted KMnO4.
Permanganate Titration Endpoint. A redox titration using potassium permanganate as the
titrant. Because of its bright purple color, KMnO4 serves as its own indicator. Note how the
endpoint is reached when the solution remains just slightly purple.
Apparatus/Materials: ferrous ammonium sulfate, weighing bottle, balance, distilled water, 100
cm3 volumetric flask, funnel, stopper, diluted sulfuric acid, burette, 0.02 M potassium manganate
(VII), beakers, conical flask, pipette, pipette filler, measuring cylinder, 1 M sulfuric acid

Procedure:
1. 3.9 g of the Fe (II) salt was weighed
2. Made a solution of 100 cm3 by dissolving the salt in the acid solution, in a volumetric
flask.
3. Placed the KMnO4 solution into the burette then filled the jet of the burette. Recorded the
initial volume.
4. Filled a 25 cm3 pipette to the mark with ferrous ammonium sulphate. Placed this into the
conical flask.
5. Titrated the Ferrous Ammonium sulphate against the KMnO 4 until one drop caused a
colour change.
6. Recorded the volume on the burette and determined the volume of KMnO4 added. 
7. Repeated the titration for precision.
Calculations
1. Write the balanced half-equations for the following reaction that was taking place.
Ans: MnO42- + 8H+ + 5e- => Mn2+ + 4H2O (reduction)
Fe2+ => Fe3+ + e- (oxidation)
2. Combine the two half-equations to give the overall redox equation for the reaction that
has taken place during the titration.
Ans: MnO4- + 8H+ + 5Fe2+ => Mn2+ + 4H2O + 5Fe3+

3. Use your overall equation to determine the ratio of moles of manganate (VII) ions that
react with iron (II) ions.
Ans: The ratio of moles of manganate (VII) ions to iron (II) ions is 1:5

4. Use the average titre to calculate the moles of manganate (VII) ions which have been
used in the titration.
Ans: Moles = Average titre x molarity
= 0.0242dm3x 0.02 mol/dm3
= 0.000484mol, 4.84 x 10-4 mol

5. Calculate the amount, in moles, of iron (II) ions in the 25 cm3 sample of iron (II) sulfate.
Ans: Since mole ratio is 1:5 then # of mol = 0.000484mol x 5
= 0.00242, 2.42 x 10-3

6. Calculate the amount, in moles, that would be in iron (II) ions in a 100 cm3 graduated
flask.
Ans: = # of mol x 4
= 0.00242 mol x 4
= 0.00968 mol

7. Calculate the molar concentration of the iron (II) solution.

Ans: Molar Concentration = moles/volume
= 0.00968/0.1
= 0.0968 mol/dm3
 8. Discuss the reason for the absence of an indicator for this titration.
Ans: KMnO4 is a redox indicator. Mn has variable valencies. Whenever Mn changes its valence
state, its colour changes. That is why there is no need for an external indicator. It can act as a
self-indicator to indicate the end-point of the reaction. There is a colour difference between its
reduced and oxidized form.
9. Explain the importance of providing an acidic condition for the redox reaction to occur
and why an acid such as hydrochloric acid could not be used.
Ans: In an acidic medium, the oxidizing effect of KMnO4 is stronger than in basic/alkaline
medium. Hydrochloric acid is usually avoided because it reacts with KMnO4 to produce chlorine
and chlorine which is also an oxidising agent in the aqueous solution. KMnO4 can oxidise
chloride ions to elemental chlorine. This consumes some oxidant thereby resulting in erratic titre
value.
10. Briefly explain what the colour change seen during the experiment indicated and deduce
what was the oxidizing and reducing agent.
Ans: Initially, the purple colour of KMnO4 is discharged with ferrous ammonium sulfate. The
appearance of a permanent pink colour reveals the endpoint. Therefore the oxidizing agent was
the potassium permanganate and the reducing agent was the Ferrous Ammonium sulphate.

Limitations/Precautions/ Sources of Error:

Precaution:
1. Titration was repeated to increase the precision of the results and to reduce the impact of
any experimental errors.
2. Ensure to read all solutions at eye level before recording volume.
Sources of Error:
1. One can easily misinterpret the color and add too much or too little of the solution
2. The meniscus of the burette could have been misread resulting in inaccurate values.
Conclusion: The iron content in an unknown solution of iron (II) sulfate by redox titration using
potassium manganate (VII) in acidic solution contained moles and a molar concentration M.