IChO 1996 · Theory problem 4

Chromate-dichromate equilibria and precipitation

The precipitation is widely used in classical methods of the quantitative and qualitative analysis for the separation of ions. The possibility of separation is determined by the equilibrium concentrations of all species in a solution to be analyzed.

Potassium dichromate is one of the most widely used precipitating reagents. The following equilibria are established in aqueous solutions of Cr(VI).

Figure 1

4.1 Calculate the equilibrium constants

Figure 2

The ionic product of water \(K_{\mathrm W}=1.0\times10^{-14}\).

4.2 In what direction shall the equilibrium state 1b shift upon the addition of the following reagents to the aqueous solution of potassium dichromate?

a) \(\ce{KOH}\)

b) \(\ce{HCl}\)

c) \(\ce{BaCl2}\)

d) \(\ce{H2O}\)

The solubility product of \(\ce{BaCrO4}\) is \(1.2\times10^{-10}\). \(\ce{BaCr2O7}\) is well soluble in water.

4.3 Calculate the pH value of the following solutions

a) \(0.010\ \mathrm M\ \ce{K2CrO4}\)

b) \(0.010\ \mathrm M\ \ce{K2Cr2O7}\)

c) \(0.010\ \mathrm M\ \ce{K2Cr2O7}+0.100\ \mathrm M\ \ce{CH3COOH}\)

Dissociation constant of acetic acid \(K_{\mathrm a}=1.8\times10^{-5}\).

4.4 Calculate the equilibrium concentrations of the following ions in the solution of \(0.010\ \mathrm M\ \ce{K2Cr2O7}+0.100\ \mathrm M\ \ce{CH3COOH}\)

a) \(\ce{CrO4^2-}\)

b) \(\ce{Cr2O7^2-}\)

\(\ce{Pb^2+}\) and \(\ce{Ag+}\) form poorly soluble compounds with chromate and dichromate ions.

The solubility products of these compounds are indicated below.

\(\ce{PbCrO4}\) \(K_{s1}=1.2\times10^{-14}\)
\(\ce{Ag2CrO4}\) \(K_{s2}=1.3\times10^{-12}\)
\(\ce{Ag2Cr2O7}\) \(K_{s3}=1.1\times10^{-10}\)

To the aqueous solution of the mixture of \(1.0\times10^{-3}\ \mathrm M\ \ce{Pb(NO3)2}\) and \(2.0\times10^{-4}\ \mathrm M\ \ce{AgNO3}\) an equal volume of \(0.020\ \mathrm M\) solution of \(\ce{K2Cr2O7}\) in \(0.200\ \mathrm M\ \ce{CH3COOH}\) was added.

4.5 a) Shall \(\ce{Pb^2+}\) be precipitated?

b) Shall \(\ce{Ag+}\) be precipitated?

c) Shall a quantitative separation of \(\ce{Pb^2+}\) and \(\ce{Ag+}\) ions be thus achieved?

The quantitative precipitation is achieved if the residual concentration of the ion being precipitated is not higher than \(1\times10^{-6}\ \mathrm M\).

Official English text of the problem.

Answers

  • 4.1(a): \(K=3.2\times10^{-8}\).
  • 4.1(b): \(K=4.4\times10^{13}\).
  • 4.2(a): Right, toward chromate.
  • 4.2(b): Left, toward dichromate.
  • 4.2(c): Right, as barium chromate precipitates.
  • 4.2(d): Right; dilution raises the pH and increases the fraction of chromium present as chromate.
  • 4.3(a): \(\mathrm{pH}=9.25\).
  • 4.3(b): \(\mathrm{pH}=4.20\).
  • 4.3(c): \(\mathrm{pH}=2.87\).
  • 4.4(a): \([\ce{CrO4^2-}]=3.0\times10^{-6}\ \mathrm M\).
  • 4.4(b): \([\ce{Cr2O7^2-}]=3.7\times10^{-3}\ \mathrm M\).
  • 4.5(a): Yes, as lead(II) chromate, \(\ce{PbCrO4}\).
  • 4.5(b): No; neither silver chromate nor silver dichromate precipitates.
  • 4.5(c): Yes. The residual \([\ce{Pb^2+}]\approx4.9\times10^{-9}\ \mathrm M\), including precipitation’s effect on the solution equilibria; silver remains dissolved.

Solution

Concentrations are treated as ideal, with water activity equal to unity. All logarithms are decimal.

The molecular and ionic identities used below are:

Species Name SMILES
\(\ce{CrO4^2-}\) Chromate ion [O-][Cr](=O)(=O)[O-]
\(\ce{HCrO4^-}\) Hydrogen chromate ion O[Cr](=O)(=O)[O-]
\(\ce{Cr2O7^2-}\) Dichromate ion [O-][Cr](=O)(=O)O[Cr](=O)(=O)[O-]
\(\ce{H+}\) Hydrogen ion, representing the aqueous proton [H+]
\(\ce{OH^-}\) Hydroxide ion [OH-]
\(\ce{H2O}\) Water O
\(\ce{CH3COOH}\) Acetic acid CC(=O)O
\(\ce{CH3COO^-}\) Acetate ion CC(=O)[O-]
\(\ce{K+}\) Potassium ion [K+]
\(\ce{Ba^2+}\) Barium(II) ion [Ba+2]
\(\ce{Pb^2+}\) Lead(II) ion [Pb+2]
\(\ce{Ag+}\) Silver(I) ion [Ag+]
\(\ce{Cl^-}\) Chloride ion [Cl-]
\(\ce{NO3^-}\) Nitrate ion [O-][N+](=O)[O-]

The chromium oxyanion SMILES specify connectivity and one localized representation of bonding. Each chromium atom has tetrahedral oxygen coordination; dichromate consists of two tetrahedra sharing an oxygen. SMILES do not specify these geometries or aqueous proton solvation. Dot-separated salt SMILES below specify formula-unit composition, not crystal structure.

Write \[ h=[\ce{H+}],\qquad x=[\ce{HCrO4^-}],\qquad y=[\ce{CrO4^2-}],\qquad z=[\ce{Cr2O7^2-}]. \]

The supplied equilibria are \[ \ce{HCrO4^- <=> H+ + CrO4^2-}, \qquad K_1=\frac{hy}{x}=10^{-6.50}=3.1623\times10^{-7}, \] and \[ \ce{2HCrO4^- <=> Cr2O7^2- + H2O}, \qquad K_2=\frac{z}{x^2}=10^{1.36}=22.9087. \]

The chromium balance is \[ C_{\mathrm{Cr}}=x+y+2z, \] where \(C_{\mathrm{Cr}}\) counts moles of chromium atoms per litre.

4.1(a)

The requested reaction is \[ \ce{CrO4^2- + H2O <=> HCrO4^- + OH^-}. \]

Adding the reverse of the first supplied equilibrium to \[ \ce{H2O <=> H+ + OH^-} \] gives \[ K_{\mathrm b}=\frac{K_{\mathrm W}}{K_1} =\frac{1.0\times10^{-14}}{10^{-6.50}} =10^{-7.50}. \]

Thus \[ \boxed{K_{\mathrm b}=3.2\times10^{-8}}. \]

4.1(b)

The requested reaction is \[ \ce{Cr2O7^2- + 2OH^- <=> 2CrO4^2- + H2O}. \]

Combine \[ \ce{Cr2O7^2- + H2O <=> 2HCrO4^-}, \qquad K=\frac1{K_2}, \] with twice \[ \ce{HCrO4^- + OH^- <=> CrO4^2- + H2O}, \qquad K=\frac{K_1}{K_{\mathrm W}}. \]

Therefore \[ K=\frac1{K_2}\left(\frac{K_1}{K_{\mathrm W}}\right)^2, \] so \[ \log K=-1.36+2(-6.50+14.00)=13.64, \] and \[ \boxed{K=4.4\times10^{13}}. \]

4.2(a)

Directions refer to the reaction as written in 4.1(b).

Adding potassium hydroxide increases \([\ce{OH^-}]\), driving \[ \ce{Cr2O7^2- + 2OH^- <=> 2CrO4^2- + H2O} \] to the right.

4.2(b)

Hydrochloric acid supplies hydrogen ions, which consume hydroxide: \[ \ce{H+ + OH^- -> H2O}. \]

The equilibrium shifts to the left. Its acid-driven form is \[ \ce{2CrO4^2- + 2H+ <=> Cr2O7^2- + H2O}. \]

4.2(c)

Barium ions remove chromate by precipitation: \[ \ce{Ba^2+ + CrO4^2- -> BaCrO4(s)}. \]

The solid is barium chromate, [Ba+2].[O-][Cr](=O)(=O)[O-].

Removal of chromate drives the equilibrium to the right. The stated solubility of barium dichromate excludes a competing dichromate precipitation in this treatment.

4.2(d)

Dilution shifts the equilibrium to the right.

The potassium dichromate solution is acidic. Dilution lowers \(h\), raises the pH, and therefore increases \[ [\ce{OH^-}]=\frac{K_{\mathrm W}}h. \]

This conclusion can also be checked directly from the coupled balances. For potassium dichromate alone, \[ [\ce{K+}]=C_{\mathrm{Cr}}=x+y+2z. \] Electroneutrality gives \[ [\ce{K+}]+h=x+2y+2z+[\ce{OH^-}], \] hence \[ h=y+\frac{K_{\mathrm W}}h. \]

Thus \(y=h-K_{\mathrm W}/h\). Together with \[ x=\frac{hy}{K_1},\qquad z=K_2x^2, \] the chromium balance shows that decreasing \(C_{\mathrm{Cr}}\) decreases \(h\) and \(y\). However, \[ \frac{y}{z} =\frac{K_1^2}{K_2h^2y} \] increases. The chromate-to-dichromate ratio therefore rises. Dilution decreases the absolute chromate concentration while increasing its fraction of total chromium.

4.3(a)

For \(0.010\ \mathrm M\) potassium chromate, hydrolysis produces approximately equal concentrations of hydrogen chromate and hydroxide: \[ \ce{CrO4^2- + H2O <=> HCrO4^- + OH^-}. \]

Let \(t=[\ce{OH^-}]\). Neglecting the small hydrolysis depletion initially, \[ K_{\mathrm b}\simeq\frac{t^2}{0.010}. \] Therefore \[ t\simeq\sqrt{(3.1623\times10^{-8})(0.010)} =1.78\times10^{-5}\ \mathrm M. \]

Consequently, \[ \mathrm{pOH}=4.75,\qquad \boxed{\mathrm{pH}=9.25}. \]

The hydrolysis fraction is only about \(0.18\%\). Also, \[ z\simeq K_2t^2\approx7.2\times10^{-9}\ \mathrm M, \] so dichromate formation is negligible here. Solving the full balances gives \(\mathrm{pH}=9.2498\).

4.3(b)

For \(0.010\ \mathrm M\) potassium dichromate, \[ C_{\mathrm{Cr}}=0.020\ \mathrm M. \]

As shown in 4.2(d), \[ h=y+[\ce{OH^-}]\simeq y. \] The acid equilibrium therefore gives \[ h^2\simeq K_1x. \]

Since \(y\) is small relative to the total chromium concentration, first solve \[ x+2K_2x^2\simeq0.020. \] The positive root is \[ x\simeq \frac{\sqrt{1+8K_2(0.020)}-1}{4K_2} =1.2658\times10^{-2}\ \mathrm M. \]

Hence \[ h\simeq\sqrt{(3.1623\times10^{-7})(1.2658\times10^{-2})} =6.33\times10^{-5}\ \mathrm M, \] and \[ \boxed{\mathrm{pH}=4.20}. \]

Retaining all species in the balances gives \(h=6.3196\times10^{-5}\ \mathrm M\) and \(\mathrm{pH}=4.1993\).

4.3(c)

Acetic acid dissociates according to \[ \ce{CH3COOH <=> H+ + CH3COO^-}. \]

Its total concentration is \(C_{\mathrm A}=0.100\ \mathrm M\), so \[ [\ce{CH3COO^-}] =\frac{K_{\mathrm a}C_{\mathrm A}}{K_{\mathrm a}+h}. \]

Chromium and potassium concentrations remain \[ C_{\mathrm{Cr}}=[\ce{K+}]=0.020\ \mathrm M. \] Combining their mass and charge balances gives \[ h=y+[\ce{CH3COO^-}]+\frac{K_{\mathrm W}}h. \]

The usual weak-acid estimate is \[ h\simeq\sqrt{K_{\mathrm a}C_{\mathrm A}} =\sqrt{(1.8\times10^{-5})(0.100)} =1.34\times10^{-3}\ \mathrm M. \]

For a check including chromium speciation, solve \[ x+\frac{K_1x}{h}+2K_2x^2=0.020, \] \[ h=\frac{K_1x}{h} +\frac{K_{\mathrm a}(0.100)}{K_{\mathrm a}+h} +\frac{K_{\mathrm W}}h. \]

These yield \[ h=1.33418\times10^{-3}\ \mathrm M,\qquad x=1.26570\times10^{-2}\ \mathrm M, \] and therefore \[ \boxed{\mathrm{pH}=2.87}. \]

4.4(a)

Using the equilibrium values from 4.3(c), \[ [\ce{CrO4^2-}] =\frac{K_1x}{h} =\frac{(3.1623\times10^{-7})(1.26570\times10^{-2})} {1.33418\times10^{-3}}. \]

Thus \[ \boxed{[\ce{CrO4^2-}]=3.0\times10^{-6}\ \mathrm M}. \]

4.4(b)

Similarly, \[ [\ce{Cr2O7^2-}]=K_2x^2 =22.9087(1.26570\times10^{-2})^2 =3.66998\times10^{-3}\ \mathrm M. \]

Thus \[ \boxed{[\ce{Cr2O7^2-}]=3.7\times10^{-3}\ \mathrm M}. \]

4.5(a)

Mixing equal volumes halves every analytical concentration. Before precipitation, \[ [\ce{Pb^2+}]_0=5.0\times10^{-4}\ \mathrm M,\qquad [\ce{Ag+}]_0=1.0\times10^{-4}\ \mathrm M. \] The formal dichromate and acetic acid concentrations become \(0.010\ \mathrm M\) and \(0.100\ \mathrm M\), respectively, matching 4.4.

For lead chromate, the initial ion product is \[ Q_{\mathrm{Pb}} =[\ce{Pb^2+}]_0[\ce{CrO4^2-}] =(5.0\times10^{-4})(3.0\times10^{-6}) =1.5\times10^{-9}. \] Since \[ Q_{\mathrm{Pb}}\gg K_{s1}=1.2\times10^{-14}, \] lead precipitates: \[ \ce{Pb^2+ + CrO4^2- -> PbCrO4(s)}. \]

The solid is lead(II) chromate, [Pb+2].[O-][Cr](=O)(=O)[O-].

The chromium equilibria replenish chromate as it is consumed. For example, the net reaction using hydrogen chromate is \[ \ce{Pb^2+ + HCrO4^- -> PbCrO4(s) + H+}. \]

4.5(b)

The two possible silver precipitates are:

  • Silver(I) chromate, [Ag+].[Ag+].[O-][Cr](=O)(=O)[O-].
  • Silver(I) dichromate, [Ag+].[Ag+].[O-][Cr](=O)(=O)O[Cr](=O)(=O)[O-].

Their precipitation equilibria are \[ \ce{2Ag+ + CrO4^2- <=> Ag2CrO4(s)} \] and \[ \ce{2Ag+ + Cr2O7^2- <=> Ag2Cr2O7(s)}. \]

For silver chromate, \[ Q_{\mathrm{Ag,Cr}} =[\ce{Ag+}]_0^2[\ce{CrO4^2-}] =(1.0\times10^{-4})^2(3.0\times10^{-6}) =3.0\times10^{-14} <1.3\times10^{-12}. \]

For silver dichromate, \[ Q_{\mathrm{Ag,Di}} =[\ce{Ag+}]_0^2[\ce{Cr2O7^2-}] =(1.0\times10^{-4})^2(3.670\times10^{-3}) =3.67\times10^{-11} <1.1\times10^{-10}. \]

Thus neither silver salt precipitates. The final-equilibrium check below confirms this after lead precipitation.

4.5(c)

Using the excess-reagent approximation, the residual lead concentration is \[ [\ce{Pb^2+}] \simeq\frac{K_{s1}}{[\ce{CrO4^2-}]} =\frac{1.2\times10^{-14}}{3.0\times10^{-6}} =4.0\times10^{-9}\ \mathrm M. \] This is already far below the required \(1.0\times10^{-6}\ \mathrm M\).

For a more complete check, allow for both chromium removal and the acidity released during precipitation. Let \[ p=[\ce{Pb^2+}],\qquad s=5.0\times10^{-4}-p, \] where \(s\) is the amount of lead chromate precipitated per litre.

The final chromium balance and lead solubility condition are \[ x+y+2z=0.020-s,\qquad py=K_{s1}. \] Electroneutrality, including the spectator ions, gives \[ h=s+y+\frac{K_{\mathrm a}(0.100)}{K_{\mathrm a}+h} +\frac{K_{\mathrm W}}h. \]

Together with \(y=K_1x/h\) and \(z=K_2x^2\), these equations give \[ h=1.609\times10^{-3}\ \mathrm M, \] \[ y=2.442\times10^{-6}\ \mathrm M,\qquad z=3.536\times10^{-3}\ \mathrm M, \] and \[ \boxed{p=4.9\times10^{-9}\ \mathrm M<1.0\times10^{-6}\ \mathrm M}. \]

With silver remaining at \(1.0\times10^{-4}\ \mathrm M\), its final ion products are \[ Q_{\mathrm{Ag,Cr}}=2.44\times10^{-14}<K_{s2}, \qquad Q_{\mathrm{Ag,Di}}=3.54\times10^{-11}<K_{s3}. \]

Therefore lead is precipitated quantitatively while silver remains dissolved, achieving the specified separation.

The solution was checked against the official solution.