EXPERIMENT: 4

SYNTHESIS OF POTASSIUM ​TRIS

OXALATO CHROMATE (III)
TRIHYDRATE

INTRODUCTION:
​ This experiment is done to synthesize the coordinate compound of
potassium tris-oxalato chromium (III) tri hydrate by treating potassium
dichromate, potassium oxalate, oxalic acid and water.

PURPOSE:
The purpose of this experiment is to synthesize potassium tris oxalato
chromium (III) trihydrate, K​3​[Cr(C​2​O​4​)​3​].3H​2​O​ .

ABSTRACT:
In this experiment we are synthesizing coordination compound.
Coordination compounds the product of a Lewis acid-base reaction in which
neutral molecules or anions bond to central metal by coordinate covalent bonds.
A coordinate covalent bond is a covalent bond in which one atom shares both
electrons. This type of bonding is different from a normal covalent bond in which
each atom shares one electron.

​ Chromium (III) is the most stable oxidation state of chromium, forms a

number of complexes, in which six monodentate ligands surrounds the
cation octahedrally.

APPARATUS:
1. Beakers
2. Stirrer
3. Funnel
4. Filter paper
5. Spirit lamp
6. Wire gauze
7. Tripod stand
8. Freezer

CHEMICALS REQUIRED:

1. Potassium oxalate (monohydrate) (K​2​C​2​O​4​)

2. Oxalic acid (dihydrate) (C​2​H​2​O​4​)
3. Potassium dichromate (K​2​C​2​O​4​)
4. Distilled water.

EQUATION:
 H​2​O

K​2​Cr​2​O​7 ​ + 7 C​2​H​2​O​4 ​ + K​2​C​2​O​4 K​3​[Cr(C​2​O​4​)​3​] + 6CO​2 ​+ H​2​O

PROCEDURE:
1. Make a solution of potassium oxalate monohydrate (2.3g) and oxalic
acid dehydrate (5.5g) in water (110 ml).

2. To this solution add solid potassium dichromate (1.9g) in small

portion with constant stirring.

3. Concentrate the solution nearly to dryness.

4. On cooling deep green shiny crystals of potassium tris-oxalate

chromium (III) of trihydrate will be formed.

5. Filter the solid crystals and leave to dry.

Chemicals Potassium Oxalic acid Potassium Distilled

oxalate dihydrate dichromate water
monohydrat
e
Weight 2.3 g 5.5 g 1.9 g 110 ml
 :​
pure product​ potassium trioxalato chromate (III) trihydrate potassium tris oxalate chromate (III) trihydrate

PRECAUTIONS:
1. Distilled water should be used in this experiment.
2. Wash and clean the apparatus before doing experiment
otherwise impurities alter the required result.
 3. Weight of sample chemicals should be taken carefully to get
exact yield.

PROBLEMS WE FACE IN THIS EXPERIMENT:

1. We don’t have distilled water.
2. We don’t have any cooling source to minimize the temperature of
solution to get crystals.
​Due to above reasons our experiment cannot approach at the end
point and we don’t get required product.