Chemical Analysis by Redox Titration Lab
Jessie Potter
Mrs. Haberman
AP Chemistry
November 8, 2017
Purpose:
The purpose of this lab was to determine the amount or concentration of an
unknown substance by conducting redox titrations using a standardized
permanganate solution to find the percent hydrogen peroxide in a commercially
sold solution.
Procedure:
First, obtain 10.0 grams of the commercial hydrogen peroxide solution by
weighing it out using an analytical scale. Next transfer the solution to a 250 mL
Erlenmeyer flask, rinse the peroxide container with water, and add rinsings to the
flask. Dilute the flask with water to about 75 mL and then add 20 mL of 3 M
H2SO4. Obtain a 50 mL buret and, after rinsing it with water, rinse it again with 5
mL of the standard MNO4 solution. Fill the buret with the standard solution by
momentarily opening the stopcock and record the initial reading. Next, place a
sheet of white paper under the sample flask and begin slowly titrating the H2O2
solution while continuously stirring it by gently swirling the flask. Continue
titrating until the color of the MNO4 becomes present. At this point, slow down to
adding drops only. Continue until one drop of the MNO4 produces a very faint
pink color that lasts for at least 30 seconds. This pink color shows the first excess
amount of MNO4 that is not being reacted by the H2O2. Record the final buret
reading and complete this process one to two more times.
Experimental Data:
Mass of H2O2 (mg) Concentration of Initial Buret Final Buret Volume of
Standard Solution (M) Reading (mL) Reading (mL) MNO4 (mL)
Trial 1 26.4 .1 9.4 12.5 3.1
Trial 2 19.6 .1 12.6 14.9 2.3
Trial 3 19.6 .1 14.9 17.2 2.3
Trial 1 Observations: After adding in the first amount of permanganate, the peroxide
was very pink as too much permanganate was added.
Trial 2 Observations: After adding in the second amount of permanganate, the peroxide
was less pink but still had some color as too much permanganate was added again.
Trial 3 Observations: After adding in the third amount of permanganate, the peroxide
was the perfect color, a very faded pink, as the right amount of permanganate had
finally been added.
Calculations:
1. Calculate the milligrams of H2O2 in the sample for each trial.
Molarity= moles/liters .1 M= moles/.0031 L = 3.1 X 10-4 moles MNO4-
3.1⋅10−4 𝑀𝑛𝑂4 5 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑠 𝐻 𝑂
2 2 34.016 𝑔 𝐻2 𝑂2 1000 𝑚𝑔 𝐻2 𝑂2
𝑇𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑙 1 → ⋅ 2 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑠 𝑀𝑛𝑂 ⋅ ⋅ = 26.4 𝑚𝑔 𝐻2 𝑂2
1 4 1 mole 𝐻2 𝑂2 1 𝑔 𝐻2 𝑂2
Molarity= moles/liters .1 M= moles/.0023 L = 2.3 X 10-4 moles MNO4-
2.3⋅10−4 𝑀𝑛𝑂4 5 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑠 𝐻 𝑂
2 2 34.016 𝑔 𝐻2 𝑂2 1000 𝑚𝑔 𝐻2 𝑂2
𝑇𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑙𝑠 2 & 3 → ⋅ 2 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑠 𝑀𝑛𝑂 ⋅ ⋅ = 19.6 𝑚𝑔 𝐻2 𝑂2
1 4 1 mole 𝐻2 𝑂2 1 𝑔 𝐻2 𝑂2
2. Calculate the %H2O2 by mass in the commercial sample for each trial.
Trial 1 26.4 mg/ (9.77 g)(1000) = (.0027)(100) = .27% H2O2
Trials 2 & 3 19.6 mg/ (10.17 g) (1000) = (.0019)(100) = .19% H2O2
3. Calculate the average %H2O2 in the commercial hydrogen peroxide solution.
.0019 + .0027 = .0046/2 = (.0023)(100) = .23% H2O2
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the overall purpose of the lab was to determine the percent
hydrogen peroxide in a commercially sold solution by conducting redox titrations
using a standardized permanganate solution. This purpose was achieved as the
percent peroxide was able to be determined. After completing the lab and
calculations, the percent peroxide in the unknown solution was determined to be
.23% H2O2.
Discussion of Theory:
The theory that was focused on in this lab was titration. Titration is a common
method for determining the amount or concentration of an unknown substance.
It works as it allows for a qualitative relationship between two reacting
substances. In this lab, the two substances used were permanganate, MnO4, and
peroxide, H2O2. The permanganate was self-indicating, which allowed for the
exact time in which the reaction stopped to be determined as the permanganate
went in clear but turned a faint, permanent pink once all of the permanganate, or
the reactant, was used up. The amount of permanganate that was needed to
react with the peroxide can then be taken and used to determine the amount of
peroxide in the solution by using the calculations shown above.
Error Analysis:
The lab procedure was fairly simple and not much error occurred. However, one
source of error could have occurred during Trial 1 as the buret was kept open
and the permanganate freely dripped into the peroxide instead of a slower, more
controlled drip that would have allowed for more accurate results. This free drip
affected the results as it added too much permanganate to the peroxide solution
and caused it to turn very pink instead of the light, faded pink that was wanted.
However, in Trials 2 and 3 the error was corrected as a more controlled drip was
used that allowed for the right amount of permanganate to be dripped into the
peroxide solution to achieve the light pink color.
Questions:
1. What type of environment does this redox reaction take place in?
The reaction takes place in an acidic environment.
2. Write the balanced net ionic equation for the reaction.
Unbalanced Equation: H2O2 + MnO4 Mn+2 + O2
Oxidation Reaction:
5(H2O2 O2 + 2H+ + 2e-) = 5H2O2 5O2 + 10H+ + 10e-
Reduction Reaction:
2(5e- + 8H+ + MnO4 Mn+2 + 4H2O) = 10e- + 16H+ + 2MnO4 2Mn+2 +
8H2O
Reaction After Adding Reduction and Oxidation Reactions Together:
5H2O2 + 10e- + 16H+ + 2MnO4 5O2 + 10H+ + 10e- + 2Mn+2 + 8H2O
Final Balanced Reaction After Cancelling:
5H2O2 + 6H+ + 2MnO4 5O2 + 2Mn+2 + 8H2O
