EXPT 4

EXPERIMENT 4
AIM: To determine the molarity and strength of KMnO4 solution by titrating it against a
0.1 M standard solution of oxalic acid.
THEORY:
In the present experiment, potassium permanganate acts as a powerful oxidising agent.
Although KMnO4 acts as an oxidising agent in alkaline medium also, for quantitative analysis
mostly acidic medium is used. The oxidising action of KMnO4 in the acidic medium can be
represented by the following equation:
MnO4 – + 8H+ +5e– → Mn2+ + 4H2O
Since, oxalic acid acts as a reducing agent, it can be titrated against potassium permanganate
in the acidic medium according to the following equation:
CHEMICAL REACTIONS:
A. Chemical equations
Reduction half reaction : 2KMnO4 + 3H2SO4 → K2SO4 + 2MnSO4 + 3H2O + 5 [O]
600 𝐶
Oxidation half reaction : { H2C2O4 + [O] → 2CO2 + H2O }× 5
__________________________________________________________________________
2KMnO4 + 3H2SO4 + 5H2C2O4 → K2SO4 + 2MnSO4 + 8H2O + 10 CO2
B. Ionic equation
Reduction half reaction : [MnO4–+ 8H+ + 5e– → Mn2+ + 4H2O] × 2
Oxidation half reaction : C2O42– → 2CO2 + 2e– ] × 5
__________________________________________________________________________
2 MnO4– + 5C2O42– + 16H+ → 2Mn2+ + 10CO2 + 8H2O
In these equations, MnO4– is reduced to Mn2+ and C2O42– is oxidised to CO2. The oxidation
number of carbon in C2O42– changes from +3 to +4. In these titrations, potassium
permanganate acts as a self-indicator. Initially colour of potassium permanganate is
discharged due to its reduction by oxalic acid. After complete consumption of oxalate ions, the
end point is indicated by the appearance of a light pink colour produced by the addition of a
little excess of unreacted potassium permanganate. Further, during the titration of oxalic acid
against potassium permanganate, warming of oxalic acid solution (50°–60°C) along with dilute
H2SO4 is required. This is essential because the reaction takes place at higher temperature.
During the titration, first manganous sulphate is formed which acts as a catalyst for the
reduction of KMnO4 by oxalic acid. Therefore, in the beginning the reaction rate is slow and
as the reaction proceeds, the rate of the reaction increases.
CHEMICALS REQUIRED:
Oxalic acid, Potassium permanganate solution, 1.0 M Sulphuric acid
INDICATOR: KMnO4 is a self-indicator
END POINT: Colourless to permanent pink colour (KMnO4 in burette)

PROCEDURE:
A. Preparation of 0.1 M standard solution of oxalic acid:
100 mL of 0.1M oxalic acid solution is prepared by dissolving 1.26 g of oxalic acid in
water.
B. Titration of oxalic acid solution against potassium permanganate solution:
(i) A clean burette is rinsed and filled with potassium permanganate solution. Air bubbles, if
any, from the nozzle of the burette are removed by releasing some solution through it. The
burette used in the permanganate titration must have a glass stop cock as rubber is attacked by
permanganate ions.
(ii) 10 mL of 0.1 M oxalic acid solution is taken in a conical flask and half of the test tube full
(≈ 5 mL) of 1.0 M H2SO4 is added to it to prevent the formation of any precipitate of manganese
dioxide during the course of the titration.
(iii) Oxalic acid solution is heated up to 50°– 60°C before titrating it with potassium
permanganate solution taken in the burette. To increase the visibility of the colour change, the
conical flask is placed containing the solution to be titrated over a white glazed tile kept below
the nozzle of the vertically fitted burette.
(iv) The initial reading of the volume of permanganate solution is noted in the burette and
added it in small volumes to the hot oxalic acid solution while swirling the contents of the flask
gently. The violet colour of permanganate solution is discharged on reaction with oxalic acid.
The end point is indicated by the appearance of permanent light pink colour due to a slight
excess of permanganate solution.
(v) The titration is repeated till three concordant readings are obtained. Since the solution of
KMnO4 is of dark colour, the upper meniscus should be considered for noting the burette
readings.
(vi) The readings are recorded as shown in observation table and molarity and strength of
potassium permanganate solution are calculated.
OBSERVATIONS:
Initial reading of the Final reading of Volume of KMnO4

S.No.
burette the burette sol. used
Concordant volume = _________ mL
CALCULATIONS:
KMnO4 solution: Oxalic acid solution:
Volume, V1 = Volume, V2 = 10 mL
Molarity, M1 = Molarity, M2 = 0.1M

No. of moles, n1 = 2 No. of moles, n2 = 5
(a) Molarity of KMnO4 solution

M 1V1 M 2V2
=
n1 n2
M 2V2 n1
M1 =  =
n2 V1
Hence the Molarity of KMnO4 solution = M
(b) Strength of KMnO4 solution = Molarity × Molar mass
= × 158
= g/L
RESULT:
(i) Molarity of KMnO4 solution is _______M

(ii) Strength of KMnO4 solution is _______gL–1.
PRECAUTIONS:
(a) Always rinse the burette and the pipette with the solutions to be taken in them.
(b) Never rinse the conical flask with the experimental solutions.
(c) Remove the air gaps if any, from the burette.
(d) Never forget to remove the funnel from the burette before noting the initial reading
of the burette.
(e) No drop of the liquid should hang at the tip of the burette at the end point and
while noting reading.
(f) Always read the upper meniscus for recording the burette reading in the case of
all coloured solutions.
(g) Never use pipette and burette with a broken nozzle.
(h) Lower end of the pipette should always remain dipped in the liquid while sucking
the liquid.
(i) Do not blow out the last drop of the solution from the jet end of the pipette.
(j) The strength of the solution must be calculated up to the fourth decimal place.
(k) Do not forget to heat the mixture of oxalic acid and H2SO4 solutions between 50°–60° C
while titrating it against potassium permanganate

EXPT 4

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EXPERIMENT 4

Oxalic acid, Potassium permanganate solution, 1.0 M Sulphuric acid

INDICATOR: KMnO4 is a self-indicator

END POINT: Colourless to permanent pink colour (KMnO4 in burette)

A. Preparation of 0.1 M standard solution of oxalic acid:

Initial reading of the Final reading of Volume of KMnO4

Concordant volume = _________ mL

Molarity, M1 = Molarity, M2 = 0.1M

(a) Molarity of KMnO4 solution

Hence the Molarity of KMnO4 solution = M

(b) Strength of KMnO4 solution = Molarity × Molar mass

(i) Molarity of KMnO4 solution is _______M

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