GERTZE CSU

201716218

EXPERIMENT 4: PREPARATION OF CIS-POTASSIUM DIOXALATODIAQUOCHRIMATE (III),

K[Cr(C2O4)2(H2O)2]

01/08/2023

Inorganic Chemistry III (CHM 3802)

Aims: The aim of this experiment was to prepare CIS-POTASSIUM DIOXALATODIAQUOCHROMATE
(III), K[Cr(C2O4)2(H2O)2]

Introduction:

Procedure: The experiment began with grinding down 2.13218 grams of potassium dichromate into a
fine powder, followed by preparing 6.2425 grams of oxalic acid in a similar powdered form. The
powders were combined into a single heap within an evaporating dish. A few drops of water were
added, and a watch glass was placed on top. The setup was then heated on a hot plate, resulting in
the initiation of an exothermic reaction that transformed the mixture into a dark and thick liquid.
Once the reaction concluded, 15 milliliters of ethanol were introduced to the solution. Stirring the
mixture with a spatula caused the product to solidify, and any larger lumps formed were carefully
crushed. The mixture underwent filtration to separate the product, followed by a wash with ethanol.
The resulting product was left to dry naturally at room temperature, facilitating the determination of
its yield.

Results and Discussions:

Product Mass (g)

Potassium Dichromate 2.1328
Oxalic Acid 6.2425
Filter Paper 0.5482
Filter Paper + K[Cr(C2O4)2(H2O)2] 6.5354

K[Cr(C2O4)2(H2O)2] 5.9872

Balanced equation:

Yield

Post lab Q’s:

1. (i) C2O42- C = +3
CO2 C = +4
(ii) Cr2O72- Cr = +6

2. Cr2O7-2  2Cr3+ (Reduction)

C2O4-2  2CO2 (Oxidation)
6e- + 14H+ + Cr2O7-2  2Cr3+ +7H2O
[C2O42-  2CO2 + 2e- ] x3
Therefore: 6e- + 14H+ + Cr2O7-2 + 3C2O42-  6CO2 + 6e- + 2Cr3+ +7H2O
Overall balanced ionic equation: 14H+ + Cr2O7-2 + 3C2O42-  6CO2 + 2Cr3+ +7H2O

3. K2Cr2O7-2 + H2C2O4