CHM477

EXPERIMENT 3:
SYNTHESIS OF POTASSIUM TRIS(OXALATO)
CHROMIUM(III) TRIHYDRATE: 𝑲𝟐 [𝑪𝒓(𝑪𝟐 𝑶𝟒 ]. 𝟑𝑯𝟐 𝑶

NAME : NUR AIN NAJWA BINTI EDI MOHAMAD

STUDENT ID : 2022458464
GROUP : AS2533A2
LECTURER NAME’S : DR KARIMAH
PARTNER NAME’S : NURUL FARHANA BINTI HIDZIR
STUDENT ID : 2022604216
1.0 INTRODUCTION

In this experiment, the process of synthesizing tris(oxalate)chromium (III) trihydrate

𝐾2 [𝐶𝑟(𝐶2 𝑂4 ]. 3𝐻2 𝑂. The compound is coordination compound which consists of a central
metal ion chemically bonded with one or more atoms (ligands) by coordinate covalent bonds.

Chromium (III) is a stable oxidation compound which six monodentate ligands surround
the cation octahedrally. In the above compound, two oxalate anions (bidentate ligands) and two
water molecules coordinate the chromium cation to provide oxygen atoms at the corners of the
octahedron. Two geometrical isomers exist for the complex ion, [𝐶𝑟(𝐶2 𝑂4 )2 (𝐻2 𝑂2 )], two
(𝐶2 𝑂4 )2 ions can be on same carbon of the complex ion giving the cis- isomer and opposite
side giving trans isomer.

The amount of yield form can be calculated using theoretical yield which mass of
coordination compound times the molar mass of the compound.

2.0 OBJECTIVE

1. To synthesize potassium tris(oxalate)chromium (III) trihydrate 𝐾2 [𝐶𝑟(𝐶2 𝑂4 ]. 3𝐻2 𝑂

3.0 PROCEDURE

4.0 DATA & RESULT

1. Theoretical yield of 𝐾3 [𝐶𝑟(𝐶2 𝑂4 )3 ]. 3𝐻2 𝑂 (mass) : 4.874g

2. Mass of yield of 𝐾3 [𝐶𝑟(𝐶2 𝑂4 )3 ]. 3𝐻2 𝑂 : 4.061g
3. Percentage yield of 𝐾3 [𝐶𝑟(𝐶2 𝑂4 )3 ]. 3𝐻2 𝑂 : 83.31%
Equation of the reaction:

𝐾2 𝐶𝑟2 𝑂7 + 7𝐻2 𝐶2 𝑂4 + 2𝐾2 𝐶2 𝑂4 . 𝐻2 𝑂 → 2𝐾3 [𝐶𝑟(𝐶2 𝑂4 )3 ]. 3𝐻2 𝑂 + 6𝐶𝑂2 + 3𝐻2 𝑂

1.8115𝑔
Mol of 𝐾2 𝐶𝑟2 𝑂7 = = 0.0062 𝑚𝑜𝑙
294.188𝑔/𝑚𝑜𝑙

5.0474𝑔
Mol of 𝐻2 𝐶2 𝑂4 = = 0.0561 𝑚𝑜𝑙
90𝑔/𝑚𝑜𝑙

2.181𝑔
Mol of 𝐾2 𝐶2 𝑂4 . 𝐻2 𝑂 = = 0.0118 𝑚𝑜𝑙
184.196𝑔/𝑚𝑜𝑙

Mol of 𝐾2 𝐶𝑟2 𝑂7 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑐𝑡:

1 mol 𝐾2 𝐶𝑟2 𝑂7 = 2 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐾3 [𝐶𝑟(𝐶2 𝑂4 )3 ]. 3𝐻2 𝑂

0.0062 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐾2 𝐶𝑟2 𝑂7 × 2 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐾3 [𝐶𝑟(𝐶2 𝑂4 )3 ]. 3𝐻2 𝑂

=
1 mol 𝐾2 𝐶𝑟2 𝑂7

= 0.0124 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐾3 [𝐶𝑟(𝐶2 𝑂4 )3 ]. 3𝐻2 𝑂

Mol of 𝐻2 𝐶2 𝑂4 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑐𝑡:

7 mol of 𝐻2 𝐶2 𝑂4 = 2 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐾3 [𝐶𝑟(𝐶2 𝑂4 )3 ]. 3𝐻2 𝑂

0.0561 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐻2 𝐶2 𝑂4 × 2 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐾3 [𝐶𝑟(𝐶2 𝑂4 )3 ]. 3𝐻2 𝑂

=
7 mol of 𝐻2 𝐶2 𝑂4

= 0.0160 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐾3 [𝐶𝑟(𝐶2 𝑂4 )3 ]. 3𝐻2 𝑂

Mol of 𝐾2 𝐶2 𝑂4 . 𝐻2 𝑂 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑐𝑡:

2𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐾2 𝐶2 𝑂4 . 𝐻2 𝑂 == 2 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐾3 [𝐶𝑟(𝐶2 𝑂4 )3 ]. 3𝐻2 𝑂

0.0118 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐾2 𝐶2 𝑂4 . 𝐻2 𝑂 × 2 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐾3 [𝐶𝑟(𝐶2 𝑂4 )3 ]. 3𝐻2 𝑂

=
2 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐾2 𝐶2 𝑂4 . 𝐻2 𝑂

= 0.0118 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐾3 [𝐶𝑟(𝐶2 𝑂4 )3 ]. 3𝐻2 𝑂

Thus, 𝐾2 𝐶2 𝑂4 . 𝐻2 𝑂 is a limiting agent.

To calculate theoretical yield:

𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑦𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑 = 0.0118 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐾3 [𝐶𝑟(𝐶2 𝑂4 )3 ]. 3𝐻2 𝑂 × 487.4𝑔/𝑚𝑜𝑙

= 4.874g
To calculate percentage yield:

4.061𝑔
𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑦𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑 = × 100%
4.874g
= 83.31%

5.0 DISCUSSION

In these experiments, the synthesis of potassium tris(oxalate)chromium (III) trihydrate

𝐾2 [𝐶𝑟(𝐶2 𝑂4 ]. 3𝐻2 𝑂 was prepared by added 𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑢𝑚 𝑑𝑖𝑐ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑒, 𝐾2 𝐶𝑟2 𝑂7 ,
𝑜𝑥𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑐 𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑑, 𝐻2 𝐶2 𝑂4 , 𝑜𝑥𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑐 𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑑 𝑚𝑜𝑛𝑜ℎ𝑦𝑑𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒, 𝐾2 𝐶2 𝑂4 . 𝐻2 𝑂 in the water. Complex ions
or coordination compounds would be formed from the transition metal. This is because
transition metal has a high tendency to form complex ions. Complex ions are central metal
cation that is attached to one or more molecules and ions.

The color of the solution changes from orange to green-black solution after adding oxalate
monohydrate because of oxidation of chromium ion is happening. The mass of the product is
4.061g. From the calculation, the percentage yield of the product obtained is 83.31% which is
good because the reaction is almost fully react.

6.0 QUESTION

1. What is the oxidation state of chromium in 𝐾2 𝐶𝑟2 𝑂7 and in the product?

2. Write two half-equations for each reaction involved in the preparation of the complex
using oxalic acid dihydrate, 𝐾2 𝐶2 𝑂4 . 𝐻2 𝑂 and potassium dichromate, 𝐾2 𝐶𝑟2 𝑂7 and a
balanced equation for the overall reaction.
7.0 CONCLUSION

The investigation to synthesize potassium tris(oxalate)chromium (III) trihydrate

𝐾2 [𝐶𝑟(𝐶2 𝑂4 ]. 3𝐻2 𝑂 is successful. The product that we obtain is potassium
tris(oxalate)chromium (III) trihydrate 𝐾2 [𝐶𝑟(𝐶2 𝑂4 ]. 3𝐻2 𝑂. The colour of final product is dark
green colour which it is shows the formation chromium metal.

8.0 REFERENCE

Byju’s. (2022, July 4). What is the oxidation number of chromium in K 3- Cr c 2 o 4- -3 h 2

o. https://byjus.com/question-answer/what-is-the-oxidation-number-of-chromium-in-

k3-cr-c2o4-3h2o/

Olmsted, J. (1984). Preparation and analysis of potassium tris(oxalato)ferrate(III)trihydrate:

A general chemistry experiment. Journal of Chemical Education, 61(12), 1098.

https://doi.org/10.1021/ed061p1098

Taylor, D. P. (1978). The crystal structures of potassium Tris(oxalato)-chromate(III) and -

aluminate(III) trihydrate: A reinvestigation. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 31(7),

1455. https://doi.org/10.1071/ch9781455