EXPERIMENT 2

AIM : Prepare 100 ml solution of Oxalic Acid i.e. (COOH) 2.2H2O of 1/40 molarity. Using this solution
determine the molarity and strength of given Potassium permanganate i.e. KMnO 4 solution.

APPARATUS REQUIRED : Beaker, Measuring Flask , Test Tube , Funnel, Burette, Burette Stand,
Pipette, Conical Flask.

CHEMICALS REQUIRED : Oxalic Acid, Sulphuric Acid, Potassium Permanganate, Distilled Water

THEORY : Titration of Potassium Permanganate vs Oxalic Acid is a redox titration. Potassium

Permanganate acts as an oxidising agent whereas Oxalic Acid works as a reducing agent.
MnO4—1 ions which are violet in colour in concentrated solution get reduced to Mn +2 ions in acidic
medium during the reaction. Oxalate ions ( C2O4—2) are oxidised to Carbon Dioxide.

[MnO 4—1 (aq) + 8 H+ + 5 e-- ----- Mn+2 (aq) + 4 H2O] x 2

[ C 2O4--2 (aq) ------ 2 CO2 + 2 e-- ] x 5

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2 MnO4—1 (aq) + 16 H+ + 5 C2O4--2 ---- 2 Mn+2 (aq) + 10 CO2 + 8 H2O
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Mn+2 ions are pink in colour but appear colourless in dilute solution. Similarly MnO 4—1 ions appear
to be light pink in colour in dilute solution.
The reaction of Oxalic Acid with Potassium Permanganate is slow at room temperature. Therefore
mixture of Oxalic Acid and Sulphuric Acid is heated upto a temperatue of about 60 OC . Once the
reaction has started the Mn+2 ions formed act as catalyst and catalyse the reaction further (auto
catalysis)
When the reaction is complete, addition of Potassium Permanganate to the reaction mixture gives
permanent light pink colour.

Weight of Oxalic Acid required to prepare 100 ml solution of 1/40 molarity :

Wt of oxalic acid (gm) x 1000

Molarity = --------------------------------------------
Molar Mass of oxalic acid x 100

Molarity x Molar Mass of oxalic acid x 100

Weight of oxalic acid = -------------------------------------------------------------------
1000
1 x 126 x 100
= --------------------------
40 x 1000

= 0. 3150 gm

PROCEDURE :
1. Weigh required amount of Oxalic Acid in a beaker and prepare its solution in distilled water using
100 ml measuring flask. Transfer the solution in beaker.
2. Wash a 20 ml pipette with water and then rinse it with Oxalic Acid solution prepared.
3. Pipette out 20 ml Oxalic Acid solution and transfer it in a washed conical flask. Add 10 ml (2/3 test
tube) dilute sulphuric acid to it. Heat the contents upto about 60 OC.
4. Wash a burette with water and then rinse it with given Potassium Permanganate solution. Clamp
the burette in a burette stand.
5. Fill the burette with given Potassium Permanganate solution. Note the initial burette reading.
6. Place the conical flask below the burette and add Potassium Permanganate solution dropwise
with constant shaking until a permanent pink colour is obtained.
7. Note the final burette reading.
8. Throw the contents of the conical flask and repeat the experiment.
9. Continue experiments until three concordant readings( i.e. same volumes of KMnO 4 used ) are
obtained.

INDICATOR : Potassium Permanganate is self indicator

END POINT : Colourless to permanent pink colour

OBSERVATION TABLE :

EXPERIMENT INITIAL BURETTE READING FINAL BURETTE READING VOLUME OF KMnO 4 (ml)

Concordant value of volume of KMnO4 (ml) used =

CALCULATIONS : 5 x M (KMnO 4) X V (KMnO4) = 2 x M ( Oxalic acid ) X V (Oxalic acid)

2 x M (Oxalic acid) X V (Oxalic acid)

M (KMnO 4) = ---------------------------------------------
5 x V (KMnO 4)

Strength of Potassium Permanganate solution = M (KMnO 4) x Molar Mass of KMnO4

RESULT : The molarity of given Potassium Permanganate solution is =

The strength of given Potassium Permanganate solution is =