Lab # 8: Stoichiometry in the Synthesis of an Ionic Compound

Michael Sohanlall Partners: Sofia Almeida, Christine Magana, Areefa Hussain 2/28/11 Abstract During todays lab was to determine the mass of a crystal that was made by conducting a series of reactions that produced a crystal known as KAl(SO4)212H2O(s). After creating this crystal by conducting the series of reactions, the mass of the substance was measured. In all the group generated 5.12 grams of KAl(SO4)212H2O(s). The group found that there was a 29.2% percent yield when they calculated the theoretical yield for this reaction. Introduction Often times when performing a chemical reaction, the goal is to produce the most products possible. In the commercial world, things have a cost. It can be a financial cost of raw materials or the cost in time and effort. Regardless, if the end goal is to produce something for commercial use, then the primary goal is to do so in the most efficient way possible, from both a financial and time perspective. In order to do so, it is necessary to understand the process that produces the product. Experimental First off we massed one gram of aluminum metal in a 250ml glass beaker and then slowly add 25 mL of 3M potassium hydroxide solution. After all the aluminum metal dissolved, use Buchner funnel to remove the impurity. Use distilled water to rinse the filter paper then place the beaker in an ice bath to cool. After it cooled, slowly add 35mL of 3M sulfuric acid while stirring. Solid aluminum hydroxide will precipitate and dissolves as more acid is added. If precipitated remains after all the acid added, filter the solution and throw away the solids. Set up the Bunsen burner and heat up the solution until the volume remains at 40mL. Cool the solution for 15-20 minutes and then wait over night. Using vacuum filtration and wash with 50mL of 50% ethanol solution that will not dissolve the crystals. The crystals will dry at room temperature. Then mass the crystals. Calculate the theoretical yield assuming the aluminum is the limiting reactant and then calculate your percent yield. Results and Discussion Mass of Aluminum metal Mass of filter paper Volume of 3M potassium hydroxide Volume of 3M sulfuric acid Mass of filter paper with crystals Mass of crystals Percent Yield Data Analysis 1.00g 0.81g 35 mL 40 mL 5.93g 5.12 g 29.2 %

1. In your lab report include the balanced net ionic equations for the series of reactions in the synthesis of potassium alum. a. Al(s) + 2K+ (aq) + 6H2O 2[Al (OH)4]- + 2K+ + 3H2 (g) b. H+ (aq) + [Al (OH)4]-(aq) Al (OH)3 (s) + H2O (l) c. Al (OH)3 (l) + H+ [Al (H2O6)]3+ (aq) d.[Al (H2O6)]3+ (aq) + K+ (aq) + 2SO42-(aq) KAl(SO4)212H2O(s) 2. Define the terms synthesis and stoichiometry and calculate the theoretical yield for each reaction and for the total synthesis Synthesis is the process of producing a chemical compound. Stoichiometry is the relation between the quantities of substances that take part in a reaction or form a compound. Theoretical Yield = 474 g/mol / 27 g/mol = 17.56 grams. 3. Calculate the percent yield obtained in this experiment and explain the reasons it is less than 100%. Suggest ways in which the yield might be improved. Percent Yield = New / Actual x 100 Percent Yield = 5.12 grams/ 17.56 grams x 100 Percent Yield = 29.2% To improve the yield, we should make sure that we acquired all the alum because some might remain on the tube and other container. Also, it is because we spilled some [Al (H2O)6] 3+ when we filter the solution. 4. Calculate the theoretical yield for this synthesis if you used 1g of potassium metal as the limiting reactant. K= 39.098 g/mol Theoretical Yield = 474 g/mol / 39.098 g/mol = 12.8 grams 5. Describe the appearance of the alum crystals. Is the shape of crystals produced in an ice bath different from those produced by slow cooling? What is the hydrated crystal? The alum crystals are transparent; most of its colors can be describe as white. The crystals are not exactly perfect because it contains some cracks that provide it with slight sparkles. They are fairly big because the solution was cool over night rather than in an ice bath. A hydrated crystal is a crystal that contains water as part of its chemical formula and structure. Conclusion:

The alum was produced by using aluminum metal, potassium hydroxide and sulfuric acid. Our crystals were powder like and there was a little bit of them. The accepted theoretical yield is 17.56 g, while our value is 5.12 g, which means our percent yield is 29.2%. Even though our percent yield is quite high, I think it is acceptable because we accidently spilled our solution while filtering it. Reference: AP Chemistry Stoichiometry in the Synthesis of an Ionic Compound Lab