ABSTRACT

Ferrous ammonium sulphate was dissolved in a slightly acidic solution, oxalic acid,
H2C2O4 is added. The product formed is FeC2O4. The solution was heated it may causes the
solution to coagulate and facilitates in separating the precipitation from the solution. FeC2O4
precipitate was added with potassium oxalate which produces a slightly basic solution for the
oxidation of the ferrous ion to the ferric ion to the by hydrogen peroxide, H2O2. The following
reaction takes place

INTRODUCTION

In this experiment we will prepare a complex compound of iron in this experiment is the potassium
trioxalatoferrate(III) trihydrate, K3[Fe(C2O4)3. In this compound each oxalate ligand has two bonds
to the iron(III) ion, in which this compound is an example of chelate. The final product formed is
a green crystalline salt, soluble in hot water but rather insoluble when cold. It can be prepared by
the reaction of K2C2O4 ∙ H2O with FeCl3 ∙ 6H2O. Thus all the iron in the iron(II) ammonium
sulphate is converted to ferrioxalate, one third of the ferrioxalate being formed from the iron(III)
hydroxide. Both H2O2 and Fe(OH)3 are unstable to heat. Potassium trioxalato ferrate(III) is
photosensitive, for instance it decomposes when exposed to light, reforming iron(II) oxalate.

3K2C2O4 ∙ H2O(aq) + FeCl3 ∙ 6H2O(aq) → K3Fe(C2O4)3] ∙ 3H2O(aq) + 3KCl(aq)

OBJECTIVES:
To synthesize the iron coordination compound potassium trioxalatoferrate (III), K3[Fe(C2O4)3].
DISCUSSION