Cis and trans potassium-dioxalato diaquo chromate (III) K[Cr(C2O4)2(H2O)2].

2H2O

Objective: To prepare cis and trans potassium-dioxalato diaquo chromate complex.

Requirements Chemicals: Oxalic acid crystal 3 g K2Cr2O7 1 g C2H5OH 20 mL

Apparatus: Electronic weighing machine, beaker 500 mL, beaker 250 mL, Bunsen burner,
desiccator, filtration apparatus, conical flask, Funnel, Glass rod, Pair of tongs, Tripod stand,
Watch glass, Water bath, Wire guaze.

Theory: Cis and trans potassium dioxalato diaquo chromate (III) ionize in the following
fashion: K[Cr(C2O4 )2 (H2O)2 ].2H2O K+ + [Cr(C2O4 )2 (H2O)2 ] - + 2H2O

The complex ion obtained from above ionization process exists in the cis and trans
geometrical isomeric forms which can be represented as:

O O OH2
O OH2OH O
O
Cr
2 O
Cr
OO O O O
O O O O
OH2
O

Structure of cis and trans dioxalato diaquo chromate complex ions

A. Cis potassium dioxalato diaquo chromate (III) complex K [Cr(C2O4)2(H2O)2]2H2O This

isomer is prepared by the reaction of K2Cr2O7 according to the following reaction:

K2Cr2O7 + 7 COOH COOH .2H2O 2K[Cr(C2O4 )2 (H2O)2 ] .2H2O +6CO2 +13H2O

B. Trans potassium dioxalato diaquo chromate (III) complex K[Cr(C2O4)2(H2O)2].2H2O This

isomer is prepared by the reaction of K2Cr2O7 according to the following reaction.

K[Cr(C2O4 )2 (H2O)2 ].2H2O K+ + [Cr(C2O4 )2 (H2O)2 ]- + 2H2O

Procedure A. Cis potassium dioxalato diaquo chromate (III) complex Preparation of the cis
isomer involves the following steps: Step I At first, 3g of oxalic acid and 1g of K2Cr2O7 are
mixed with each other and grinded to obtain the powder form.
Step II Take this mixture in the china dish and heat the content in china dish gently on a low
flame by which a vigorous reaction will occur with the evolution of CO2 and water vapour.
Finally the mixture will become deep colored liquid.

Step III Now without cooling the liquid, 20 mL C2H5OH is added over this liquid and triturate
the content by metallic spatula until the solid mass is formed.

Step IV Now warm the content until the product cannot be obtained in the form of granular
crystals. The crystals of cis potassium dioxalato diaquo (III) complex look black in the
diffused day light which are finally weigh.

B. Trans potassium dioxalato diaquo chromate (III) complex

Preparation of the trans isomer involve the following steps: Step I Take 3g of oxalic acid
crystal in a beaker and add small amount of water and heat to dissolve the oxalic acid crystal
in water.

Step II Take 1g of K2Cr2O7 and small amount of water in a boiling tube and heat to dissolve
the K2Cr2O7 in water.

Step III Now introduce the content of boiling tube in the beaker containing oxalic acid
solution and cover the beaker by watch glass.

Step IV Now cool the dark coloured content of beaker and transfer it to a china dish. The
content of china dish is kept in air for 36-48 hours by which volume is reduced to one third
of the original volume.

Step V Now the crystals of trans isomer get deposited and filter by regular filter paper with
the help of funnel which are washed by water and ethyl alcohol and finally weigh the
crystals of trans isomer.