How to Prepare 0.1 N Oxalic Acid?

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Oxalic acid is a reducing agent, and its conjugate base is oxalate. (C2O4)2- Oxalate acts as a chelating agent for metal cations. Oxalic acid is usually found as a dihydrate with the formula H2C2O4.2H2O.

How to Prepare 0.1 N Oxalic Acid?
How to Prepare 0.1 N Oxalic Acid?

Equivalent Weight of Oxalic Acid

Hydrated oxalic acid has a molecular weight of 126 grams. Because its chemical formula is COOH-COOH, it is clear that oxalic acid is a dibasic acid capable of donating two H+ ions. As a result, the equivalent weight of oxalic acid may be determined utilizing the following formula:

Equivalent weight = (molecular weight)/(number of equivalent moles)

Equivalent mass of oxalic acid = molecular mass of oxalic acid / 2

= 126 / 2

= 63 grams.

Therefore, 63 grams of oxalic acid is the equivalent weight.

Preparation

Since oxalic acid is accessible in its purest form, standard solutions may be produced via the direct technique.

Considering that the equivalent weight of hydrated oxalic acid (C2H2O4.2H2O) is 63, 0.1N solution would have 6.3 g/litre while 0.05 N solution would have 3.15 g/litre. These standard solutions are used to determine the strength of alkali (NaOH and KOH) solutions for which standard solutions cannot be prepared directly.

Preparation Of 0.1 N Oxalic Acid Solution

  • Weigh precisely 6.3 grams of oxalic acid, dissolve it in distilled water, and finally fill the volumetric flask with exactly 1.0 liter.

Standardization of 0.1 N Oxalic Acid Solution

  • Step 1: All glassware should be sterilized and dried according to regular laboratory procedures.
  • Step 2: Add 20 ml of prepared oxalic acid to a conical flask that has been sterilized.
  • Step 3: Add 5 ml of sulfuric acid to the flask and heat at the temperature of 70 °C.
  • Step 4: Pre-rinse the burette with the solution of potassium permanganate before rinsing it with distilled water.
  • Step 5: Start the titration at 0.1N KMnO4 and continue it to the termination point.
  • Step 6: The appearance of a pink hue that lasts for more than 30 seconds is the final outcome.
  • Step 7: Record the reading. For accurate results, repeat the titration three times.

References

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Jyoti Bashyal

Jyoti Bashyal is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at the University of New Mexico, USA. Her research focuses on understanding the structure-function relationships in glucose transporters (GLUTs) and their implications for diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and metabolic syndromes. By investigating how these proteins work at the molecular level, Jyoti aims to contribute to drug discovery efforts targeting these critical transporters. She is particularly interested in exploring how high-throughput protein expression and crystallization techniques can be applied to better understand carbohydrate-related proteins and their therapeutic potential. Blending her expertise in chemistry, biology, and computational tools, Jyoti is driven by a passion for solving complex scientific challenges. Outside the lab, she is a dedicated science communicator who loves making complex concepts approachable and engaging. Through writing and sharing her knowledge, she hopes to inspire curiosity and excitement about science. Jyoti’s goal is to connect groundbreaking discoveries with real-world impact, encouraging others to see the power and beauty of science in action.

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