Question icon
Grade 12Physical Chemistry

25 ml of a solution containing 6.1 g/L an oxalate of formula Kxhy(C2O4)2nh20 required 18 ml of 0.1N naoh and 24 ml of 0.1N kmno4 in two separate titrations value of n...

Profile image of Siddarth
8 Years agoGrade 12
Answers icon

1 Answer

Profile image of Askiitians Tutor Team
ApprovedApproved Tutor Answer1 Year ago

To determine the value of \( n \) in the oxalate formula \( K_xH_y(C_2O_4)_2 \cdot nH_2O \), we need to analyze the information provided about the titrations with NaOH and KMnO4. Let's break this down step by step.

Understanding the Components

The oxalate compound contains potassium (K), hydrogen (H), carbon (C), oxygen (O), and water (H2O). The key to finding \( n \) lies in understanding how the oxalate reacts with the titrants used in the titrations.

Oxalate and Titration Reactions

Oxalic acid (\( H_2C_2O_4 \)) can react with both NaOH and KMnO4. In the first titration with NaOH, the oxalate will react to form potassium oxalate and water. The reaction can be represented as:

  • \( H_2C_2O_4 + 2 NaOH \rightarrow Na_2C_2O_4 + 2 H_2O \)

In the second titration with KMnO4, the oxalate is oxidized to carbon dioxide, and the KMnO4 is reduced. The balanced reaction is:

  • \( 5 H_2C_2O_4 + 2 KMnO_4 + 6 H_2SO_4 \rightarrow 10 CO_2 + 2 MnSO_4 + 3 K_2SO_4 + 6 H_2O \)

Calculating Moles of Oxalate

First, we need to calculate the moles of oxalate in the solution. Given that the concentration is 6.1 g/L, we can find the total grams in 25 mL:

  • Total grams of oxalate = \( 6.1 \, \text{g/L} \times 0.025 \, \text{L} = 0.1525 \, \text{g} \)

Next, we need the molar mass of oxalic acid (\( H_2C_2O_4 \)), which is approximately 90.03 g/mol. Therefore, the moles of oxalate can be calculated as follows:

  • Moles of oxalate = \( \frac{0.1525 \, \text{g}}{90.03 \, \text{g/mol}} \approx 0.00169 \, \text{mol} \)

Using Titration Data

Now, let's analyze the titration data. In the first titration with NaOH, 18 mL of 0.1 N NaOH was used:

  • Moles of NaOH = \( 0.1 \, \text{N} \times 0.018 \, \text{L} = 0.0018 \, \text{mol} \)

Since 2 moles of NaOH react with 1 mole of oxalic acid, the moles of oxalic acid that reacted can be calculated:

  • Moles of oxalic acid = \( \frac{0.0018 \, \text{mol}}{2} = 0.0009 \, \text{mol} \)

In the second titration with KMnO4, 24 mL of 0.1 N KMnO4 was used:

  • Moles of KMnO4 = \( 0.1 \, \text{N} \times 0.024 \, \text{L} = 0.0024 \, \text{mol} \)

From the balanced equation, 5 moles of oxalic acid react with 2 moles of KMnO4, so:

  • Moles of oxalic acid = \( \frac{0.0024 \, \text{mol}}{2} \times 5 = 0.006 \, \text{mol} \)

Finding the Value of n

Now we have two different calculations for the moles of oxalic acid. The discrepancy suggests that we need to consider the stoichiometry of the oxalate compound. The total moles of oxalate from both titrations should equal the moles calculated from the initial concentration.

From the first titration, we calculated 0.0009 mol, and from the second, we calculated 0.006 mol. The average gives us a better estimate of the actual moles of oxalate present in the solution. However, we need to ensure that the total moles correspond to the formula \( K_xH_y(C_2O_4)_2 \cdot nH_2O \).

Given that the oxalate is in the form \( (C_2O_4)^{2-} \), we can relate the moles of oxalate to the value of \( n \). If we assume that each molecule of oxalate contributes to the overall moles, we can set up the equation:

  • \( 2n + 1 = \text{total moles of oxalate} \)

By solving this equation with the average moles calculated, we can find the value of \( n \). This requires some algebraic manipulation based on the stoichiometry of the reactions involved.

In summary, the value of \( n \) can be determined by carefully analyzing the moles of oxalate derived from the titration data and relating it back to the overall formula of the compound. This approach ensures that we accurately account for all components in the solution.