Experiment No.

2
Aim: To prepare 250 mL of M/50 oxalic acid solution and using it to determine the molarity and
strength of given KMnO4 solution.

Apparatus required: Burette, Pipette, Conical flask, Measuring flask, Beaker, test tube, etc.

Chemicals required: oxalic acid, KMnO4 solution, H2SO4, distilled water etc.

Indicator used: KMnO4 is a self indicator solution.

End point: Colourless to pink.

Preparation of 100 ml of M/20 Mohr’s salt solution: The weight of Mohr’s salt required to
prepare 100 ml of M/20 Mohr’s salt solution is

M= wb x 1000 / Mb x Vsolution

1/50 = wb x1000/ 126 x 250

Wb = 0.63 g

Weight of watch glass = 19.27 g

Weight of watch glass + Weight of Mohr’s salt = 19.27 + 0.63

= 19.90 g

0.63 g of oxalic acid is dissolved in distilled water taken in a volumetric flask or in a measuring
flask and the volume is made up to 250 mL with distilled water.

Theory: It is a redox titration in which KMnO4 acts as an oxidizing agent and oxidizes oxalate
ions to carbon dioxide in acidic medium.
Observation Table:

S. No. Burette reading Volume of KMnO4 used in

Initial Final mL
1. 0.0 10.8 10.8
2. 10.8 20.3 10.5
3. 20.3 30.8 10.5

Concordant Reading = 10.5 mL

Calculation-

Formula used: 5 M1V1 = 2 M2V2

Where

M1 = Molarity of KMnO4 solution = ?

V1 = Volume of KMnO4 Solution = 10.5 mL

M2 = Molarity of Mohr’s salt solution = M/50

V2 = Volume of Mohr’s salt solution = 20.0 mL

5 M1 x 10.5 = 2 x 1/50 x 20.0

M1 = 2 x 20.0 / 50 x 5 x 10.5

M1 = 0.0152 M

Strength = Molarity x Molecular Weight

 = 0.0152 x 158

= 2.4016 g/L

Result: The molarity and strength of given KMnO4 solution is 0.0152 M

and 2.4016 g/L respectively.

Precautions:

1) Rinse the burette and pipette with the solution to be filled.

2) The last drop in the pipette should not be blown off.
3) While taking readings funnel should not on the burette.
4) Observation should be taken carefully.