REPORT SHEETS FOR EXPERIMENT 3: PREPARATION OF ALUM, KAl(SO4)2.
12H2O
EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE:
1) What are the two reasons that sulfuric acid is added to the filtered solution produced after
the aluminum has reacted with the potassium hydroxide?
The addition of sulfuric acid help to create H2O, as we have excess OH- ions
present in the solution this react with the H+.
Sulfuric acid can redissolve the precipitate of Al(OH)3 because it is am amphoteric
compound.
2) Why is the solution boiled down to 50 mL? Why isn’t it boiled dry so that all of the alum
recovered?
The solution is boiled to 50mLto maintain the concentration of the solution.
Concertation can affect the crystal quality and the formation, if the alum was boiled dry
then it can decompose due to overheating which can result in poor quality crystals.
3) Why was 30 mL of ethanol added to the solution after it had been on ice for 15 minutes?
This is because ethanol will help improve the crystal solution, it reduces the solubility of
alum in water encouraging more to alum to precipitate out of the solution. This helps to increase
the yield of the alum by making sure the crystal doesn’t dissolve in liquid
4) What are the two reasons for using vacuum filtration to collect the alum crystals?
It is more efficient than other method of filtration has the liquid components is removed
to great extents.
It is a faster method of filtration method vacuum filtration decreases the pressure on one
side and allows the liquid to pass through the funnel quicker
5) What were the two reasons that the crystals in the Buchner funnel were washed with cold
ethanol?
Ethanol is added to the funnel as alum is insoluble in ethanol but soluble in water, this
helps to wash and remove impurities in the crystal that can affect the quality of the alum
Ethanol is added to the solution to aggregate the crystal, this helps in giving good yield
of crystal
ANALYSIS OF RESULTS
1) Write five balanced equations which correspond to the four intermediate reaction steps and
the final crystallization step in the synthesis of Alum from aluminum. Note: Use only those
products from one equation that actually react in the next equation.
1. 2Al(s)+6H20(l) 2Al(0H)3(s)+3H2(g)
2. Al(OH)3(s)+kOH(s) K[Al(OH)4](aq)
3. 2Al(OH)4(s)+H2SO4(l) 2Al(OH)3(aq)+2H2O(l)+SO4(aq)
4. 2Al(OH)3(s)+3H2SO4(aq) 2Al(aq)+3SO4(aq)+6H20(l)
5. K(aq)+Al(aq)+2SO4(aq)+12H2O(l) KAl (SO4)2+12H20(s)
2) Calculate the moles of aluminum metal.
0.9874g X 1mol Al 26.98g/mol
=0.0366mol
3.) Using the Periodic Chart on the back cover of your manual, indicate the atomic weights
used for the elements involved and calculate the formula weight of alum. Round the value to
the maximum number of sig. figs. allowed by the data.
K=39.10g/mol 1
Al=26.98gmol 1
H=1.008g/mol 24
S=32.06g/mol 2
O=16.00g/mol 8(from so4) +12(from H20)=20 atoms
Weight of alum = 39.10+26.98+24(1.008) +2(32.06)
+8(16.00)+12(16.00)
=474.412
=474.41g/mol KAl (SO4)2.12H2O
4) Calculate the % yield of Alum.
%yield= actual yield /Theoretical yield
17.3467g/0.999 x 100
=1752.19g
5) List three sources of random or systematic error and indicate whether they would increase or
decrease your % yield.
Error while measuring the quantities of reactants for example adding more than required
amount of a reactant. It can increase or decrease the %yield.
Any error due to change in temperature or pressure
There might be an error if the steps are not followed correctly.
6) Which aluminum salt is amphoteric and which equation shows this?
Aluminum hydroxide is the amphoteric salt shown in the reactants of equations 2 and 4 while
also being in the products of equation 1 and 3, it neutralizes the acid in equation 3 and acts as an
acid in equation 2 when reacting with KOH.
