CHM477

EXPERIMENT 5:
SYNTHESIS OF POTASSIUM TRIS(OXALATO)
FERRATE(III) TRIHYDRATE

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

This experiment conducted to synthesize potassium tris (oxalato) ferrate (III) trihydrate
𝐾2 [F𝑒(𝐶2 𝑂4 )2 ]. 3𝐻2 𝑂 where ferrous ammonium sulfate, 𝐹𝑒(𝑁𝐻4 )2 (𝑆𝑂4 )2 . 6𝐻2 𝑂 is dissolved
in a slightly acid solutions, excess oxalic acid 𝐻2 𝐶2 𝑂4is added resulting in a reaction of
𝐹𝑒(𝑁𝐻4 )2 (𝑆𝑂4 )2 . 6𝐻2 𝑂 + 𝐻2 𝐶2 𝑂4 → 𝐹𝑒𝐶2 𝑂4 + 𝐻2 𝑆𝑂4 + (𝑁𝐻2 )𝑆𝑂4 . 6𝐻2 𝑂

Ferrous oxalate is a finely divided precipitate where its shape tends to be in colloidal
state. The solution went for heating is for the oxidation of the ferrous ion to the ferric ion by
hydrogen peroxide, 𝐻2 𝑂2 so, the reaction will take place as 𝐻2 O + 𝐻𝑂2− + 2𝐹𝑒 2+ → 2𝐹𝑒 3+ +
3𝑂𝐻 −

As such the 𝑂𝐻 − ion concentration of the solution is high enough thus some of the 𝐹𝑒 3+
reacts with the 𝑂𝐻 − to form a ferric hydroxide a brown precipitate. With the addition of
𝐻2 𝐶2 𝑂4 the Fe (OH) dissolves and the soluble complex of 𝐾2 [F𝑒(𝐶2 𝑂4 )2 ]. 3𝐻2 𝑂 was formed
respectively as 3𝐾2 𝐶2 𝑂4 + 2𝐹𝑒(𝑂𝐻)3(𝑆) + 3𝐻2 𝐶2 𝑂4 → 2𝐾2 [F𝑒(𝐶2 𝑂4 )2 ]. 3𝐻2 𝑂 the ethanol
addition in the solution was made to cause the complex iron salt to precipitate.

2.0 OBJECTIVE

To synthesize potassium tris (oxalato) ferrate (III) trihydrate 𝐾2 [F𝑒(𝐶2 𝑂4 )2 ]. 3𝐻2 𝑂

3.0 PROCEDURE
4.0 DATA & RESULT

1. Theoretical yield of 𝐾3 [𝐹𝑒(𝐶2 𝑂4 )3 ]. 3𝐻2 𝑂(𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠) : 6.9101g

2. Mass of 𝐾3 [𝐹𝑒(𝐶2 𝑂4 )3 ]. 3𝐻2 𝑂 obtained : 3.583g
3. Percent yield of 𝐾3 [𝐹𝑒(𝐶2 𝑂4 )3 ]. 3𝐻2 𝑂 : 51.8516%

3𝐾2 𝐶2 𝑂4 + 2𝐹𝑒(𝑂𝐻) + 3𝐻2 𝐶2 𝑂4 → + 3𝐻2 𝑂

3.513𝑔
Mol of 𝐾2 𝐶2 𝑂4 = = 0.0211𝑚𝑜𝑙
166.196𝑔/𝑚𝑜𝑙

2.003𝑔
Mol of 𝐻2 𝐶2 𝑂4 = = 0.0222𝑚𝑜𝑙
90𝑔/𝑚𝑜𝑙

To calculate the mol react:

2𝐾3 [𝐹𝑒(𝐶2 𝑂4 )3 ]. 3𝐻2 𝑂
3𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐾2 𝐶2 𝑂4 → 2𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐾3 [𝐹𝑒(𝐶2 𝑂4 )3 ]. 3𝐻2 𝑂

0.0211𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐾2 𝐶2 𝑂4 × 2𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐾3 [𝐹𝑒(𝐶2 𝑂4 )3 ].3𝐻2 𝑂

Mol of 𝐾3 [𝐹𝑒(𝐶2 𝑂4 )3 ]. 3𝐻2 𝑂 = 3𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐾2 𝐶2 𝑂4

= 0.0141 mol 𝐾3 [𝐹𝑒(𝐶2 𝑂4 )3 ]. 3𝐻2 𝑂

2 mol 𝐹𝑒(𝑂𝐻) → 2 mol 𝐾3 [𝐹𝑒(𝐶2 𝑂4 )3 ]. 3𝐻2 𝑂

0.01292 mol 𝐹𝑒(𝑂𝐻)× 2𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐾3 [𝐹𝑒(𝐶2 𝑂4 )3 ].3𝐻2 𝑂

Mol of 𝐾3 [𝐹𝑒(𝐶2 𝑂4 )3 ]. 3𝐻2 𝑂 = 2 mol 𝐹𝑒(𝑂𝐻)

= 0.01292 mol 𝐾3 [𝐹𝑒(𝐶2 𝑂4 )3 ]. 3𝐻2 𝑂

3𝐻2 𝐶2 𝑂4 → 2𝐾3 [𝐹𝑒(𝐶2 𝑂4 )3 ]. 3𝐻2 𝑂

0.0222 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐾2 𝐶2 𝑂4 × 2𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐾3 [𝐹𝑒(𝐶2 𝑂4 )3 ].3𝐻2 𝑂

Mol of 𝐾3 [𝐹𝑒(𝐶2 𝑂4 )3 ]. 3𝐻2 𝑂 = 3𝐻2 𝐶2 𝑂4

= 0.0148 mol 𝐾3 [𝐹𝑒(𝐶2 𝑂4 )3 ]. 3𝐻2 𝑂

So the 𝐹𝑒(𝑂𝐻) 𝑖𝑠 𝑎 𝑙𝑖𝑚𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑡.

𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑦𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑 = 0.01292𝑚𝑜𝑙 × 491.15𝑔/𝑚𝑜𝑙

= 6.3470𝑔

3.5830𝑔
𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑦𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑 = × 100%
6.3470𝑔
 = 56.4515%

5.0 DISCUSSION

In this experiment, ferum and iron act as a lewis acid which react with oxalic acid as a base.
Ferum will accept the electron pair while the base will act as a donor for the electron pair. The
solution changes to yellow color of precipitate after ferrous ammonium sulphate dissolves in
acidic solution and the solution was heat until boil. After that, the solution was decanted, and
potassium oxalate was added and continued heating until boiled. The color of the solution
changes from yellow to brown. From the color change, it shows that the oxidation of ferrous
ion to ferric ion has occurred. Next, the excess oxalic acid was added to the solution until it
changed to fluorescent.

Fron the result, the theoretical yield of the product is 6.3470𝑔 and the yield of the product
that obtained is 3.583g. The amount of product obtained is less than the theoretical yield
because there are some errors during the experiment. Some of the products during the filtration
process. The percentage yield of the product is 56.4515%

6.0 CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the synthesis of potassium tris(oxalate) ferrate (III) trihydrate is successful.

The theoretical yield is 6.3470𝑔 and the percentage yield is 56.4515%

7.0 REFERENCE

Olmsted, J. (1984b). 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
Business Bliss FZE. (2023, November 6). Preparation of potassium trioxalatoferrate

trihydrate. https://www.ukessays.com/essays/biology/preparing-potassium-

trioxalatoferrate-trihydrate-from-ferrous-oxalate-biology-essay.php

Carriazo, J. G. (2010). INQUIRY-BASED EXPERIMENT ON THE SYNTHESIS OF K 3

[FE(C 2 O 4 ) 3 ].3H 2 o. ResearchGate.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/265823420_INQUIRY-

BASED_EXPERIMENT_ON_THE_SYNTHESIS_OF_K_3_FeC_2_O_4_3_3H_2_

Greenwood, N.N Earnshaw A. (1997) Chemistry of the elements, 2nd Edition, pg 101-107
Oxford.