REDOX TITRATION WITH POTASSIUM PERMANGANATE

The amount of Fe2+ in a sample can be determined by titrating with a standard solution of
potassium manganate(VII), KMnO4 in the presence of an acid. An acidified solution of
manganate(VII) ions, (or permanganate ions as they are commonly called) is a strong oxidizing
agent. It is particularly useful for titrations as it acts as its own indicator. The end-point can be
taken when one drop just causes the purple colour due to the MnO4−(aq) ions to disappear. It
will be used in this practical to determine the percentage of iron(II) ions in a sample of
ammonium iron(II) sulfate. The two half-equations are:

MnO4−(aq) + 8H+(aq) + 5e− → Mn2+(aq) + 4H2O(l) and Fe2+(aq) → Fe3+(aq) + e−

(purple) (colourless) (pale green) (pale yellow)

Mn2+(aq) ions are in fact a very pale pink but in the concentrations used here they appear
colourless. Similarly Fe3+(aq) can be a yellow-brown colour in higher concentrations but under
these conditions the final solution will be pale yellow.

ENVIRONMENTAL CARE: To save on chemicals this analysis has been scaled down and 10
cm3 pipettes and 100 cm3 volumetric flasks are used instead of the more normal 25 cm3 pipettes
and 250 cm3 flasks. Manganese and iron, although essential minerals, are heavy metals and all
residues containing them should be placed in the container in the fume cupboard marked
'Heavy Metal Waste'.

SAFETY: It is not advisable to get manganate(VII) ions on the skin as they stain, however apart
from the presence of dilute sulfuric acid there are no particular hazards associated with this
practical.

PROCEDURE:
Weigh out accurately about 2.5 grams of AR (analytical reagent) ammonium iron(II) sulfate
crystals and dissolve them in about 40 cm3 of approximately 1 mol dm-3 sulfuric acid solution. It
is important that you do not heat the solution to assist dissolving. Make up to 100 cm3 with
distilled water in a volumetric flask and thoroughly mix the solution. Pipette 10 cm3 of this
solution into a conical flask, add about an equal volume of distilled water and titrate with 0.0200
mol dm-3 potassium manganate(VII) solution to a faint pink colour. Repeat the titration at least
twice for accuracy, recording all your results.

CALCULATION AND QUESTIONS

1. Use the two half-equations to arrive at the overall equation for the reaction.
2. What amount (in mol) of Fe2+ is required to react with one mole of MnO4−?
3. What amount (in mol) of MnO4− is present in your average titre value?
4. What amount (in mol) of Fe2+ is present in 10 cm3 of the Fe2+ solution?
5. What amount (in mol) of Fe2+ is present in 100 cm3 of the Fe2+ solution?
6. What mass of Fe2+ is present in the ammonium iron(II) sulfate you weighed out?
7. What is the percentage of Fe2+ in ammonium iron(II) sulfate?
8. Find the correct chemical formula for ammonium iron(II) sulfate crystals from the bottle
and calculate what the correct answer should be.
9. Compare your answer with the correct value and comment on your result.
10. Why do you think you should not heat the iron(II) salt to assist dissolving?

© Dr Geoffrey Neuss, InThinking

http://www.thinkib.net/chemistry 1