Preparation of Potassium Tris(oxalato) Aluminate(III) K3[Al(C2O4)3] 3H2O.

Abstract.
The aim of this was to prepare potassium tris(oxalato) Aliminate(III) trihydrate. Which was
prepared mixing different chemicals. In this experiment potassium tris(oxalate) aluminate (III)
trihydrate also known as potassium alumooxalate or potassium oxalatoaluminate was
prepared using the method of filtration, rinsing with ethanol. It is soluble in water and
insoluble in alcohol. Stability on air is not stable, after several days crystals starts cracking
on air, and eventually turning white. More stable than sodium salt

Introduction
Potassium tris(oxalato) aluminate (III) trihydrate is a white crystalline salt, which is soluble in
water and insoluble in alcohol. Alkali and acid dissolves the Al metal which is amphoteric
thus liberating hydrogen. In this experiment oxalic acid acts as a bidentate ligand, it forms six
coordinate complexes with Aluminium. In this reaction.
Al + 3KOH + 3H2C2O4 = K3[Al(C2O4)3]3H2O + 3H2
The process of synthesis involves the combination of several chemicals to create whole new
ones. Coordination compound synthesis is carried out in this experiment. The result of a
Lewis acid-base reaction, in which neutral molecules or anions form coordinate covalent
bonds with the centre metal, is a coordination complex. A relationship in which one atom
provides both electrons is known as a coordinate covalent bond. In a bond where each atom
contributes one electron, this sort of bonding differs from a typical covalent link.
Compounds with an aluminium oxyanion are called aluminates. Both acids and bases can
dissolve it. The same way that aluminium hydroxide or aluminium salts generate
hydroxyaluminate ions when dissolved in bases. Aluminates that are anhydrous can be
created by calcining the hydrated or hydroxyaluminate and precipitating it.
Al + 3KOH + 3H2C2O4 + 2H2O = K3[Al(C2O4)3] + 3H2O + 6H2O + 3/2H2
Oxalate ion is a bidentate ligand and it forms chelate type of complex with many transition
metal ion. The oxalate complex of Al(III) is from p-block metal they are less common. In this
complex, Al (III) binds to 3 oxalate ions to form chelate type complex.
2 Al + 6 KOH + 6 H2C2O4·2H2O = 2 K3[Al(C2O4)3] + 3 H2 + 18 H2O

Experimental Procedure.
0.5g of aluminium shavings was weighed and placed into a beaker. It was covered with 7.5
cm3, slowly a solution of 15 cm3 (20%) of potassium hydroxide was added. Vigorous
effervescence occurred and additions was only made when the initial reaction was ceased.
When alkali was added, the solution was boiled to complete dissolution. The solution was
filtered and 7g of oxalic acid was added to solution while it was hot. Again it was filtered hot,
when it was cool ethanol of 25 cm3 was added.
The solution was allowed to further cool and scratching the side of the beaker was
necessary to complete formation of the fine white needles. Crystals were washed with
ethanol and dried by suction on a buchner.

Result.

Discussion.
Aluminium dissolved slowly as potassium hydroxide was added slowly, turning white like
clouds in color. The granules of Al are slowly dissolving as the reaction is boiling. This
happened until the KOH was not added. 7.2g of oxalic acid was added, a reaction occurred,
and the solution became white milky white. The crystals were formed after using sucking
filtration, the crystals formed were salt like and white. The mass of the final product formed
was 0.2944g. This is the equation the reaction happened.

2 Al + 6 KOH + 6 H2C2O4·2H2O = 2 K3[Al(C2O4)3] + 3 H2 + 18 H2O

Conclusion.