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Experiment 2: Investigation Into The Kinetic Behaviour of Aqueous Crystal Violet Solutions
Experiment 2: Investigation Into The Kinetic Behaviour of Aqueous Crystal Violet Solutions
violet solutions
What lab skills will you practice in Expt 2? What learning objectives are being studied?
Collecting data in a timed experiment Determine the differential and integrated rate law
Preparing reaction solutions equations for a given reaction, including the order
Using a spectrophotometer including recording a and the rate constant for this reaction, using
experimental data.
full absorption spectrum
Correlate concentration(s) and rate with time.
Relate collision theory to a reaction rate
determined experimentally.
What report writing skills will you use? REMINDER:
Building data tables Before coming to the laboratory, complete the pre-
Presenting results using graphing lab exercises. You will not be allowed to perform
Interpreting data provided in a graph the experiment until you have presented your
Interpreting results in discussion section pre-lab results to your TA.
BACKGROUND
Crystal violet has antibacterial and antifungal properties and is used in different medical applications:
e.g. to treat or prevent skin infection (body piercing, surgery marks, abrasion), in dentistry, etc. Some of
its applications are also related to its intense purple colour: e.g. inks for printing, pens, staining agent for
bacteria.
The structure of crystal violet, abbreviated CV+, is shown below. Under neutral aqueous conditions, it
exists as a monocation. The intense purple color of crystal violet is due to the extended resonance
structure present in this molecule. Upon reaction with a hydroxide anion, crystal violet transforms into a
carbinol (CVOH), which doesnt have such an extended resonance structure, and is hence colourless in
solution.
N N
OH
+
N N N N
Depending on the experimental conditions, reaction [1] takes a few minutes to reach completion. It is
possible to study the kinetics of this reaction by measuring color changes occurring as a function of
The differential rate equation for reaction [1] has the general form:
Rate = k [CV+]m[OH]n [2]
k is the rate constant and takes into account that molecules must collide with sufficient
energy, a certain orientation, and frequency, which are temperature dependant
m and n are the orders with respect to each reactant and indicate how the rate is related to
the concentration of the reactants
To gain information about the kinetics of reaction [1], m, n, and k need to be determined experimentally.
However, it is not possible to solve for all the unknown variables by doing one single experiment.
Separate experiments must be performed to consider the effect each reactant has on the overall rate. To
study the effect of one reactant on the rate, reaction conditions are chosen so that the effects of all other
reactants can essentially be considered as being constants (i.e. the reactant of interest becomes the
variable, and all measurable variations would be due to the reactant of interest).
To determine the effect of crystal violet on the reaction rate, the effect of OH must be kept constant.
This can be achieved by using a much greater concentration of OH than that of crystal violet. The rate
can then be examined by monitoring the disappearance of the purple colour of crystal violet with time
(d[CV+] / dt). The rate law [2] may then be simplified to:
[ + ]
= = [ + ] [3]
where k' is a pseudo rate constant, defined as: k' = k [OH]n [3b]
This simplified rate law in equation [3] can then be integrated (for different possible values of m) to
obtain the integrated rate law, providing an equation that describes how the concentration of crystal
violet varies with time. These steps will allow the values of m and k' to be determined (as explained
below).
if m = 0: [ + ] = 0 + [ + ]0 [4]
Note, equations [4], [5] and [6] are all linear expressions (in the form y = mx + b). However, when
graphing your experimental data, the only plot that will be linear is the one that matches the correct
value of m. That is, for a single set of experimental data plotted according to each of equations [4], [5]
It is possible to complete the rate law and determine the value of the rate constant (k) and the order with
respect to NaOH (n) by combining the results for k and m for several experiments.
Hence, a plot of ln k as a function of ln [OH-] should yield a straight line with a slope equal to the order
n and the y-intercept equal to lnk.
As seen in Experiment 1, Beers law provides a relationship between the concentration of the light
absorbing species (in this case, [CV+] ) and the experimentally determined absorbance values (at a
specific wavelength). This relationship is summarized by equation [11].
A = l [CV+] [7]
In this experiment, the disappearance of the purple colour with time can be related to a decrease in the
amount of light ( = 590 nm) absorbed by the solution. The decrease in absorbance can then be related
to a decrease in concentration of crystal violet, as per Beers law.
To be able to use equation [7] to determine unknown values of [CV+] (as required for the experimental
determination of the rate law) the proportionality constant l is needed. Thus, this investigation of the
reaction of crystal violet with hydroxide ions will need to be conducted in several parts:
Part I - Determination of l
As in Experiment 1 you will be using absorbance to monitor the concentration of the species of interest,
CV+. You will prepare a series of solutions for which the [CV+] is known (use the value provided on
Desire2Learn for the stock solution). You will measure their absorbance and use the plot of absorbance
The reaction will be performed more than once, using different concentrations of OH ions (although
always with [OH] >> [CV+]). This will allow several k' values to be calculated for reaction [1], each
corresponding to a specific value of [OH]. The k' and [OH] values obtained for the different runs will
be used in your lab report to calculate the following information:
1) the order of reaction with respect to OH ions (i.e. the value of n)
2) the rate constant k
3) the overall differential rate law for reaction [1] (i.e. equation [2] with the values for k, n and m)
Note:
The rate constant, k, for any reaction is dependent on temperature as summarized by the Arrhenius
equation [8]. It is therefore very important to maintain as constant a temperature as possible when
performing a kinetic experiment.
_ Ea/RT
k = Ae [8]
It is important to note that the constant A in equation [8] is the Arrhenius pre-exponential factor and
does not represent the absorbance of the solution.
PROCEDURE
The following procedure is to be done in pairs. Be sure that both partners record data and observations
in their own self-duplicating notebook (i.e. each person will submit their own formal lab report, and
each report requires a record of the original data to refer to).
All chemicals used should be treated as either toxic or corrosive. Avoid skin contact,
inhalation and ingestion. Stopper all test tubes for reaction mixtures when not measuring
absorbance.
Preparation
1. Obtain one 5 mL graduated pipette and eleven test tubes (18 x 150 mm) FROM EACH partners
drawers.
2. Obtain one spectrophotometer cuvette from the lab instructor. Rinse it with R.O. water and let it
to dry in air.
m) Inform the lab instructor if you have any problem with this part.
1. Label 5 of the clean test tubes using the marker in your drawer as samples 1 5 (see Table 1).
MAKE SURE ALL TEST TUBES ARE DRY!
Table 1. Composition of the calibration standard
Sample Volume of ~1.7 x 10-5 M Volume of
crystal violet (aq) (mL) R.O. water
(mL)
1 1.00 19.0
2 5.00 15.0
3 10.00 10.0
4 15.00 5.00
5 20.00 0.0
2. Clean two burettes. Rinse and fill one of the burettes with R.O. water. Rinse and fill the second
burette with ~1.7 x 10-5 M, crystal violet. These burettes will be used to prepare your
calibration standards as well as the samples for your kinetic runs.
3. To test tube #1, add the required amount of crystal violet and R.O. water as given in Table 1
above. Stopper the test tube and mix the solution thoroughly.
4. Repeat Step 3 to prepare the remaining calibration standards, samples 2 through 5, in the
appropriately labelled test tubes. Consult Table 1 for their respective composition.
5. Determine the absorbance of each solution using a spectrophotometer as follows:
a) Select Scanning. Enter the wavelength of light if needed ( = 590 nm).
b) Make sure reading mode of the spectrophotometer is in Absorbance.
c) Fill one cuvette with R.O. water and place it in position B.
d) Press B on the instrument button wheel. Wait for the cuvette to move into the light path of
the spectrophotometer. Press Measure Blank. Inform the lab instructor if the reading is
not close to zero.
e) Discard the R.O. water and then rinse and fill the cuvette with a CV+ solution to be
measured (start with the most dilute solution). Place it in one of the other 5 positions, e.g.
position 1.
f) Press the rack number on the button wheel that corresponds to step e and wait for the
cuvette to move into the light path. Record the absorbance of the solution.
g) Repeat steps e to f for the remaining solutions.
h) Empty the cuvette and rinse it generously with R.O. water. If the cuvette has a purple tint,
rinse it with methanol to remove all trace of crystal violet.
6. On the graph paper found at the end of your pre-lab assignment (p. 27), construct a plot
of absorbance versus [CV+], and from the slope of the plot determine the value of l. Have
the lab instructor check your plot and l value. If there are any problems with your values, they
should be sorted out before they create more serious difficulties.
You and your lab partner will prepare and measure the absorbance readings for three kinetic runs.
Each kinetic run will have the same concentration of crystal violet, but a different concentration of
NaOH. Your TA will assign you three different runs from the table below.
1. For each run you will do, label two test tubes with the run number (e.g. 1, 1, 2, 2, 3 and 3).
MAKE SURE ALL THE TEST TUBES ARE DRY.
2. Using the burette you prepared in Part I, transfer the proper amount of R.O. water to one test
tube #X (see Table 2).
3. Using the burette you prepared in Part I, transfer the proper amount of crystal violet to the test
tube #X which already contains the desired amount of water.
[As needed, obtain more crystal violet solution from the side bench.]
4. Rinse the 5 mL graduated pipette prepared at the start with the NaOH solution, then transfer the
proper amount of NaOH to the second test tube #X (which is still empty).
*** You should now have a test tube with proper amounts of CV and H2O and a test tube with
the proper amount of NaOH.***
5. When you are ready to start your first kinetic run, set up the spectrophotometer as follow:
a. Press the button test.
b. Select Kinetics from the Test menu.
c. You can verify the parameters: absorbance mode, wavelength = 590 nm, interval
time = 30 sec (0:30), total run time = 11h.
d. Select Run test. Select Tabular (second bottom from the left) to see the data table
as it is collected.
e. Fill your cuvette with R.O. water and place it in position B in the
spectrophotometer (this position should already be aligned with the beam of light).
Select Measure blank and wait until this data point is collected.
f. Remove your cuvette from the instrument and empty it.
6. To initiate the first reaction, perform the following steps as quickly as possible (within 30-40
seconds):
7. The absorbance of the solution will be recorded automatically every 30 seconds and the value
will appear on the screen. Important: note that the whole screen will refresh from time to time,
so make sure that you copy those values in your notebook before the screen refresh (if you miss
one of them, you will be able to retrieve them once the run is over, but not while it is in
progress).
8. While you are acquiring your kinetic data, measure the temperature of the reaction mixture
remaining in the test tube (NOT in the cuvette).
9. You can stop the kinetic run (right bottom arrow) once the absorbance reading has reached a
value of ~0.04 (i.e. when the large majority of the crystal violet has reacted). The time required
to reach this absorbance value will depend on the run you are performing, and could vary
between ~10 and ~20 minutes. Once you press stop, the file will be saved automatically on
your USB stick. At this point, you can either browse the data table or see the graph of
absorbance vs time, by going from tabular to graph mode (bottom arrows).
10. Repeat steps 2 to 9 for your second and third kinetic runs. Make sure that you use the amounts
listed in table 1.
* While waiting for a run to finish, you should start measuring the volumes required for
the next run But dont mix CV with NaOH yet!
11. Give a copy of your raw data to your TA and have your TA sign your calibration graph
(Part I) before you leave the laboratory.
12. After completion of the experiment:
Your formal lab report can be written by hand, in ink, in your self-duplicating notebook or can be
generated electronically. Your graphs and data tables can be generated either by hand or
electronically.
For general instructions on how to prepare a formal laboratory report, refer to the section of the lab
manual entitled OVERVIEW OF LABORATORY REPORTS: Expectations for the content of
formal lab reports (in the introduction).
You must use the general instructions along with the following notes when preparing your report.
Procedure:
This experiment involves many steps, increasing the likelihood you may unknowingly deviate from the
procedure as written (e.g. different order of addition of reagents). Reflect on the notes you took during
the lab period and include a comment on any places you strayed from the procedure as written, even if
these notes are seemingly minor. (If you did not deviate in any way, state this clearly to make it obvious
that you did consider your own experiment when writing your report).
Include information about the instrument used (spectrophotometer).
Results:
A summary of the visual observations you collected should be included.
Beside presenting sample calculations, tabulate all your data including the measured absorbencies (done
in the lab), the corresponding reading times and calculated [CV+]t as well as all the numbers required to
plot the different integrated rate laws for each kinetic run. Your data can be divided into more than one
table, but make sure that it can easily be found by the grader. Data tables can be generated either by
hand or electronically and then attached to your report.
For runs 1-3, all times values should be converted to seconds (not min:sec).
Part I:
Include the calibration curve used to determine the value for l for crystal violet at 590 nm.
Include a sample calculation.
1
If none of your plots stand out as being most linear, then use the values of your y-intercepts to
determine which plot is linear.
Conclusions:
Restate the reaction that was studied, the experimentally determined values of k, m and n, and what
these values tell you about the reaction. Comment succinctly on whether or not this was a successful
experiment.
References:
Minimally, should include reference to the lab manual, lab technician and lab partner(s). References
should be numbered and listed according to the order in which they were cited in-text (see Appendix H).
1. How could the experimental conditions be improved to increase the accuracy of your
experiment?
2. Based on the experiment conditions involved in this experiment, was the ionic strength kept
constant for all kinetic runs? Did you have the same concentration of cations and anions? Could
this have affected your results? How could this be adjusted?
3. Would it be useful to perform more kinetic runs using different concentrations of CV+ or
NaOH?
4. What additional information could you obtain if you repeated the same reaction but at a few
different temperatures?
5. Can you relate your findings about this reaction to collision theory?
2. What is the expression for the overall rate law for the reaction being studied in this experiment?
4. Why can we simplify the rate law? Which condition(s) in our experimental design allow(s) us to do
such a simplification?
5. Sketch the important procedural steps to be performed for one kinetic run (excluding how to use the
spectrophotometer). Your complete diagram shouldnt contain more than 20 words or short
expressions (NO full sentences!).
Hint: What do you know about visible light and the electromagnetic spectrum? What are
complementary colours?
7. Notebook Preparation:
You will need to construct tables for the data you will collect in Parts I and II. When deciding on
what information you need to collect, refer to the steps of the procedure. Once you have decided on
a format for the table(s), copy the tables into your self-duplicating notebook. These tables will be
used to collect raw data during your lab period.
Tables to collect raw data do not need to be painstakingly neat, but should be legible and written in
pen. If you make an error, cross it out with a single line. (Do not use white-out in a laboratory
notebook).
Leave some space after your table(s) to allow room to do a few calculations while you are in the
lab.
Additional information for the preparation of the Table for Part I: Look-up the stock solution
for crystal violet posted on Desire2Learn. Use the concentration of the stock solution provided
and the values in Table 1 to determine the CV+ concentrations for the solutions that you will
be preparing and whose absorbance you will be measuring in the laboratory. This will enable
you to immediately graph your results to determine the value of l and proceed quickly onto
Part II.