Experiment 3

Title: Standardize Potassium manganate (VII) solution by Ammonium iron (II) sulphate.
Introduction:
In this experiment, it is a redox titration method to standardize a solution of potassium
manganate(VII) by an iron(II) salt (ammonium iron(II) sulphate)
Oxidation numbers describe the total number of electrons that an atom either gains or
losses in order to form a chemical bond with another atom. Each atom in an equation
can be assigned an oxidation number according to certain rules. If the oxidation number
of an atom increases from the left side (reactants) to the right side (products), oxidation
has occurred which means electrons have been lost. Therefore, if the oxidation number
decreases, reduction has occurred which means electrons have been gained.
2++ 4 H 2 O
++5 e M n
+8 H
Mn O 4
In this half-reaction, manganese has undergone a decrease in oxidation number from
+7 to +2 which makes this a reduction reaction.

3+ +e
2+ F e
F e
In this half-reaction, each iron atom has undergone an increase in oxidation number
from +2 to +3 which then makes it an oxidation reaction.
Oxidation and reduction must occur simultaneously. These reactions are called redox
reactions. The number of electrons lost and gained in the half-reactions must be equal.
The overall redox reaction becomes:

2++ 4 H 2 O
2++5 F e
+ M n
2++ 8 H
+5 F e

Mn O 4
Potassium permanganate is mainly used as an oxidizing agent in volumetric analysis.
Since the MnO4 ion is a deep purple colour and the Mn 2+ ion is colorless, the end point
in titrations using KMnO4 is taken when a pink solution is shown or formed. In titration,
permanganate solution is put in the burette and is run down to an acidified solution of
reducing agent, e.g. ammonium iron(II) sulphate solution.

Objective: To determine the concentration of Potassium manganate (VII) solution by

redox reaction.
Materials: 9.8g of ammonium iron(II) sulphate crystals, 50cm 3 of 1.0M Sulphuric acid,
Potassium manganate (VII) solution, small beaker, volumetric flask, distilled water,
pipette, pipette filter, filter funnel, dropper, conical flask, burette, weighing machine.
Methods:
1. 9.8g of ammonium iron (II) sulphate crytals was weight. This is dissolved in about
50 cm3 of 1.0M sulphuric acid in a small beaker. The solution and the washings is
then transferred into a 250 cm 3 standard volumetric flask and made up to the
mark with distilled water. It was well shaken.
2. A 25.0 cm3 of ammonium iron (II) sulphate solution is then pipetted into a conical
flask and an equal amount of 1.0M sulphuric acid was added. Potassium
manganate (VII) solution was titrated, which was in the burette, until a permanent
pink colour was observed. The consistent results were obtained by repeating the
steps.

Results:
1. Mass of weighing bottle + crytals
Mass of weighing bottle
Mass of ammonium iron (II) sulphate crystals
2. Volume of pipette used

= 22.8 g
= 13.0 g
= 9,8 g
= 25.0 cm3

Burette reading
Titration number

Rough

Final reading
Initial reading
Volume of KMnO4 used (cm3)

24.8
0.1
24.7

Accurate
1
27.3
2.4
24.9

2
26.6
1.8
24.8

Summary
25.0 cm3 of the acidified ammonium iron (II) sulphate solution required 24.8 cm 3 of the
potassium manganate (VII) solution for reaction.
Show which results are used to obtained the value of the potassium manganate (VII)
solution
Discussion:
Conclusion:
Reference:
Internet document:

1)

Doc Brown. REDOX REACTIONS CHEMISTRY Revision Notes Part 1. Dr Phil

Brown. http://www.docbrown.info/page07/redox1.htm