Shyntesis of Mohr Salt

27th May 2016

A. Objective
Study the Mohr salt from the reaction between the iron with sulfuric acid and ammonia
solution.

B. Theory
Iron (Fe) in a Periodic system of elements (SPU) included in the group VIII. Iron can
be made from iron ore in the furnace. Iron ore typically contains Fe2O3 which is littered
with sand (SiO2) of about 10%, as well as a bit of sulfur compounds, phosphorus,
aluminum, and manganese. (Syukri,1999)
Pure iron is silver-white metal, which is firm and wiry. It melts at 1535oC. Rarely are
commercially pure iron, usually containing a small amount of iron carbide, silicide,
phosphide and sulphide of iron, and a little graphite. Contaminants plays an important role
in the strength of the iron structure. Dilute or concentrated hydrochloric acid and sulfuric
acid dissolves the iron. At which is produced salts of iron(II) and hydrogen gas. (Vogel,
1979)
Iron(II) can be oxidized to Fe(III), it is a strong reducing agent. The less acidic the
solution, the more obvious the effect of this, in neutral or even alkaline or oxygen from the
atmosphere will oxidize iron (II). Salts of iron(III) or ferry derived from iron oxide(III), Fe2O3.
They are more stable than the salt of iron(II). In the solution, there are cations Fe3 (light
yellow); if the solution containing chloride, the color becomes stronger. Reducing agents
transform iron(III) to iron(II). Ferrous ion [Fe(H2O)6]2+ give a crystalline salt.
Salts of iron (II) (or ferro) derived from iron (II) oxide, FeO. In these salts solution
containing Fe 2+ cations and slightly green color. Ions and complexes combined colored
old tongs are also common. Iron (II) can be easily oxidized to iron (III), it is a strong
reducing agent. The less acidic the solution, the more obvious this effect, in a neutral or
even alkaline oxygen from the atmosphere will oxidize iron (II). Then a solution of iron (II)
should be slightly acidic when you want to keep for a long time.
Salts of iron (III) (or ferric) derived from iron oxide (III) oxide, Fe2O3. They are more
stable than the salt, iron (II). In the solution, there are Fe 3+ cations are bright yellow. If
the solution containing chloride, the color becomes stronger. Reducing agents convert
iron (III) to iron (II). (Svehla,1990)
Mohr salt was prepared by mixing both sulfate salts of iron(II) and ammonium, wherein
each salt is dissolved until saturation and the iron(II) added a little sour. During cooling,
the mixture on both salt above will be obtained crystal colored bluish-green with
monoclinic form. Mohr salt is a double salt of iron(II) ammonium sulfate with molecular
formula (NH4)2FeSO4.6H2O or (NH4)2(SO4)2.6H2O. (Azis, 2007)
D. Equipments and Materials
Equipments :
1. Evaporating dish
2. Beaker
3. Round bottom flask
4. Pipette volume
Materials :
1. Sulfuris acid 20% 25 ml
2. Iron powder
3. Solution of ammonia 25% 20 ml
F. Methods
Solution A

Neutralized 25 ml sulfuric
acid 20% with 20 ml
ammonia 25%.

Ammonium sulfate solution

was evaporated until saturated

Solution B

Dissolve 3,5 g of iron powder

into 50 ml sulfuric acid 20%.

Heating and let the iron

powder dissolve by stirring

Filter the solution in hot conditions

and evaporated in evaporating dish
so that the solution begins to form
crystal on the surface
 Mix solution A and solution B in hot conditions

Refrigerated the mixture, so that it form crystal of

ammonium ferrous sulphate with color light green

Purified the crystal by reccrystallization process with

a little hot water

Weigh the crystal as a product and count

the rendemen.

G. Observation Data
1. Color and structure (s,l,g) H2SO4 : aqueous, colorless
2. Color and structure (s,l,g) iron powder : blackish grey, powder (3,5006 grams)
3. Color and structure (s,l,g) NH3 : colorless, aqueous
4. Reaction occurred in experiment :
Fe(s) + H2SO4(aq) FeSO4(aq) + H2(g) (light green solution)
H2SO4(aq) + 2NH3(aq) (NH4)2SO4(aq) (clear solution)
FeSO4(aq) + (NH4)2SO4(aq) (NH4)2Fe(SO4)2.6H2O(aq) (green bluish crystal)
5. Weigh of Mohr salt (as a product ):
3,5006 392 /
Weigh of Mohr (theoretical) = 56
= 24,5 grams
6. Weigh of Mohr salt as a product : 19,5764 grams
7. Color and structure crystal of Mohr salt : green bluish, crystal
8. Purity of Mohr salt :
100 %
Rendemen =

19,5764 100 %
=
24,5
= 79,9036 %

H. Discussion
In this practice conducted experiments Mohr salt synthesis that aims to make Mohr
salt . Mohr salt prepared by reacting the metal with a solution of sulfuric acid and ammonia
solution . The iron used in this experiment is the iron in the form of powder. The purpose
of the use of iron in the form of powder is to accelerate the reaction, because the reaction
rate is proportional to the surface area . In this experiment, all of the concentrated solution
 used so that these experiments were all done in a fume hood because of the concentrated
solution will cause a pungent odor and can harm the practitioner.

There is a solution A and solution B, A solution prepared by neutralizing sulfuric acid

20% with 20% ammonia solution, then a solution of ammonium sulfate pH was measured
using a universal indicator until the pH is neutral and then evaporated until the volume
become half. Ammonia solution here serves as a ligand having an orbital containing the
unpaired electron to its interaction with the metal, classic form coordination complexes
with metals.. The purpose of this is to evaporate the evaporation of ammonia solution
which may not react with sulfuric acid solution. The reaction that occur :

H2SO4(aq) + 2NH3(aq) (NH4)2SO4(aq) ( colorless solution )

Making of solution B by dissolving 3.5006 gram of iron powder into 50 ml of sulfuric

acid 20%, where H2SO4 is a solvent that contains protons that can be ionized and strongly
acidic. The use of iron in the form of powder aimed at accelerating the reaction, because
the reaction rate is directly proportional to the surface area, then the solution is heated,
the heating aims to dispel H2 gas and accelerate the formation of Fe2+ ions are
characterized by the formation of greenish crystal, heating also serves as a catalyst to
accelerate the reaction so that almost all of the iron can be dissolved. Once heated, the
solution is filtered in hot condition, the goal of filtering is to avoid the formation of crystals
at low temperatures. The resulting solution is ferrous sulphate. Salts of iron (II) or ferrous
derived from iron (II) oxide, FeO. In solution, these salts contain a cationic Fe2+ so the
color is green. The reaction that occur :

Fe(s) + H2SO4(aq) FeSO4(aq) + H2(g) (light green solution)

Solution A and solution B were mixed in hot conditions. This is done to prevent
crystallization solution at a low temperature and to accelerate the reaction. So that the
resulting light green solution. Then the solution is cooled in the refrigerator for 3-4 days in
order to form salt crystals Mohr. After cooling, the mixture solution was filtered to separate
the solution with Mohr salt crystals. Thus obtained Mohr salt crystals shaped bluish-green
monoclinic due to Fe(NH4)2SO4 which form complex compounds. The reaction that occur
:
FeSO4(aq) + (NH4)2SO4(aq) (NH4)2Fe(SO4)2.6H2O(aq) ( bluish green crystal )

Recrystallization Mohr salt crystals using hot water. Hot water function so that
impurities and the solution may still be present in Mohr salt crystals can be lost. Mohr salt
crystals so obtained pure bluish green. In this experiment produced Mohr salt of 19,5764
grams. According to theoretical calculations it shall be produced Mohr salt of 24.5 grams.
So the purity salt Mohr of this experiment is 79,9036%.

I. Conclusion
1. Mohr salt can be prepared from the reaction of iron with a solution of sulfuric acid and
ammonia solution.
2. Mohr salt crystals shaped bluish-green monoclinic
3. Purification Mohr salt crystals can be done by recrystallization using hot water
 4. In this experiment produced Mohr salt of 19,5764 grams
5. Theoretically Mohr salt produced by 24.5 grams
6. The yield obtained in this experiment is 79,9036%

J. Suggestion
1. Should the practitioner be more careful and meticulous during the practicum
2. Practician must understand the material before doing the lab
3. Practician should work well with the member group.

K. References

Azis, T, 2007, Penuntun Praktikum Kimia Anorganik, Jurusan Kimia Universitas Haluoleo,
Kendari

Shevla, 1979. Analisis Anorganik Kualitatif Makro dan Semimikro Bagian I. PT Kalman
Media Pustaka. Jakarta.

Syukri. 1999. Kimia Dasar 3. ITB. Bandung.