Experiment 1

Chemical Equilibria and Le Chteliers Principle

A local theatre company is interested in preparing solutions that look like blood for their upcoming
production of Lizzie Borden. They have hired Chemical Solutions Incorporated (CSI), to help them
investigate the aqueous reaction of potassium thiocyanate with iron(III) nitrate that they have heard
other companies are using as fake blood. You will investigate this equilibrium for CSI both qualitatively
and quantitatively. The following useful information for these experiments is excerpted from reliable
Web sites, and is reproduced with permission of the authors. You should also prepare for this
experiment by reading about chemical equilibria and Le Chteliers Principle (Chapter 15 in your
textbook).
The Iron-Thiocyanate Equilibrium
When potassium thiocyanate [KNCS] is mixed with iron(III) nitrate [Fe(NO3)3] in solution, an
equilibrium mixture of Fe+3, NCS, and the complex ion FeNCS+2 is formed (equation 1). The solution
also contains the spectator ions K+ and NO3. The relative amounts of the ions participating in the
reaction can be judged from the solution color, since in neutral to slightly acidic solutions, Fe+3 is light
yellow, NCS is colorless, and FeNCS+2 is red. If the solution is initially reddish, and the equilibrium
shifts to the right (more FeNCS+2), the solution becomes darker red, while if the equilibrium shifts to the
left (less FeNCS+2), the solution becomes lighter red or straw yellow. You will add various reagents to
this reaction at equilibrium to see if/how those reagents shift the equilibrium position of the reaction
using the color of the resulting solution.
Fe+3 + NCS
yellow colorless

FeNCS+2
blood red

(1)

Quantitatively, the relative amounts of the two reactants and the product are related by the equilibrium
constant for the reaction; in this case, the formation constant Kf, which is shown below. To precisely
control the red color of the solution, it is necessary to know the value for Kf. Kf can be calculated
through an experimental determination of the [FeNCS+2]eq using a standard curve (week 2) and
deduction of the [Fe+3]eq and [NCS]eq by subtracting the amount of FeNCS+2 produced from the known
added initial amounts of Fe+3 and NCS (as that is how much was consumed during the reaction).
[FeNCS+2]eq
[Fe+3]eq[NCS]eq
Use of a Standard Curve In this technique a series of solutions with known concentrations is prepared
and then a parameter such as absorbance is measured. This parameter is then plotted versus
concentration to yield a standard curve (in this case how absorbance varies with concentration), which is
often a straight line with some degree of experimental error. Analysis of the data allows determination
of the best-fit line (e.g., with Excel). A subsequent measurement of the absorbance for an unknown
sample allows determination of its concentration using the equation for the standard curve. The
unknown concentration should lie in the concentration range of the standard solutions used to construct
the standard curve for an accurate concentration determination.
Beers Law Beers Law relates the experimental absorbance value for a chromophore (a substance that
absorbs light) to the concentration of that chromophore in solution. Beer's law has many forms, the most
common is: A = l C. In this equation A is the measured absorbance of the chromophore at a given
wavelength (usually at a peak maximum, or lmax, determined from a spectrum spanning ultraviolet and/or
visible wavelengths of light). The Greek letter epsilon, , stands for the molar extinction coefficient (M
1
cm-1), an experimentally determined constant for the specific chromophore at a specified wavelength.
The molar extinction coefficient is a quantitative measure of the light absorbance by the chromophore at
that wavelength for a one molar solution and a one-centimeter path length. The value l is the path

CH 142- Experiment 1- Spring 2012

length, or the distance the light travels through the solution in the cuvette (container) used for the
absorbance measurement. Lastly, C is the molar concentration of the chromophore (mol/L) used for the
measurement. Beer's law says that the relationship between the absorbance of the chromophore and its
concentration is linear, allowing construction of a standard curve by plotting absorbance versus
concentration, such as shown in Figure 1. This particular curve is most reliable for absorbance values
between 0.0 -1.0. The concentration for an unknown solution can be determined by measuring its
absorbance first. Then use the known absorbance value and the equation for the standard curve to solve
for x, the concentration.
Figure 1. Absorbance vs. concentration (M) of a chromophore.

CH 142- Experiment 1- Spring 2012

Pre-Laboratory Assignment
Week 1: Buy your lab notebook (see Lab Syllabus for specific requirements). This week (and every
week), come to lab with a hand written outline of the experimental procedure in your lab
notebook.
Week 2: In addition to the usual outline of the procedure in your lab notebook, please answer the
following questions. Due before 9 AM, Fri., Feb. 10th (in white bookcase by Keyes 310).
A. Calculate the concentrations of NCS- and Fe+3 in each of the following solutions. Note that the final
total volume is 10.0 mL in each case due to the addition of H2O. As always, all work must be shown
to receive full credit. Watch those units and sig figs.
volume 0.0020 M KNCS (mL) volume 0.0020 M Fe(NO3)3 (mL)
1.0
5.0
2.5
5.0

total solution volume (mL)

10.0
10.0

B. 1. Construct a standard curve in Excel using the following data (and 0.0 micromolar concentration
gives 0.000 absorbance) based on the absorbance at 275 nm of protein sample. Print your graph once
it is titled (Y vs X), includes the equation of the line and the R2 value, has a label for each axis and
includes any appropriate units.
2. Use this graph to determine the unknown concentrations of two samples of the protein, showing
your work.
3. Would you expect these determinations to be accurate or not? Explain your answer.
Concentration of Protein Sample
2.0 micromolar
1.0 micromolar
0.50 micromolar
0.20 micromolar
unknown concentration 1
unknown concentration 2

Absorbance at 275 nm
0.460
0.251
0.117
0.067
0.178
0.603

CH 142- Experiment 1- Spring 2012

th

th

Experimental Procedure- Week 1, Feb. 6 -10

For each of the external stresses described below, necessary information is provided regarding the
manner in which one or more of the chemical species is affected. You will use a spot plate containing
multiple wells and use a different well for each of the operations described, recording your observations
of the color change of the solution.
In the Data section of your lab book, create a detailed table summarizing your observations for each
of the reactions that youll perform (see below) on the iron-thiocyanate equilibrium. As an example, if
you added a drop of concentrated HCl to the standard solution, the blood-red color would lighten or
perhaps even disappear altogether. This indicates that the FeNCS+2 concentration has decreased. To
explain this result, it is necessary to know that in the presence of a large excess of Cl-, Fe+3 forms
complex ions:
Fe+3 + 6 Cl-

FeCl6-3

This change reduces the Fe+3 concentration, so in accord with Le Chateliers Principle, some FeNCS+2
dissociates to replace some of the Fe+3 removed by reaction with Cl-. This would be summarized in your
lab book as follows:
Stress
+1 drop
HCl
(6 M)

Observation
Reactions of Interest
+3
soln turned yellow Fe + NCS
FeNCS+2
(the original red
color went away)
Fe+3 + 6 Cl FeCl63

Explanation
Equilibrium shifted left in
response to a decrease in
[Fe+3], which was removed
by its reaction with Cl.

A. Operations to Introduce an External Stress- Record all observations in your data table.
1. Add one drop each of 1 M Fe(NO3)3 and 1 M KNCS to 25 mL of distilled water. Mix well.
2. Add a few drops of this solution to each of seven wells of a spot plate. One well will serve as a color
standard against which to judge color changes in the other wells. The other six wells will be for
performing your operations to introduce an external stress. Record the appearance of the reaction
before adding stress.
3. Add one drop of 1 M Fe(NO3)3 to one of the wells, mix, and observe. Record observation.
4. Add one drop of 1 M KNCS to a second well, mix, and record observation.
5. Add one drop of 0.1M SnCl2 to a third well, mix, and record observation. Tin(II) ions reduce
iron(III) ions to iron(II) ions:
Sn+2 + 2 Fe+3
Sn+4 + 2 Fe+2
6. Add one drop of 0.1 M AgNO3 to a fourth well, mix, and record observation. Silver ions react with
thiocyanate ions to give a white precipitate of silver thiocyanate:
Ag+ + NCS-

AgNCS(s)

7. Add one drop of 0.1 M Na2HPO4 to a fifth well, mix, and record observation. Hydrogen phosphate
ions form a complex ion with iron(III) ions:
Fe+3 + HPO4-2

FeHPO4+
4

CH 142- Experiment 1- Spring 2012

8. Add one drop of 1 M NH3 to a sixth well, mix, and record observation. Any base will form a
precipitate or a colloidal suspension of iron(III) hydroxide when mixed with iron(III) ions:
NH3 + H2O
+3
Fe + 3 OH-

NH4+ + OHFe(OH)3 (s)

B. Effect of Heat on the Equilibrium- Also record your observations in the data table.
1. Pour about 4-5 mL of the iron-thiocyanate solution made earlier into three test tubes. Set one tube
aside as a color standard against which to judge color changes in the other tubes.
2. Gently warm one tube in a hot water bath but dont boil the solution. Record observation.
3. Take the hot tube and stick it into an ice bath, along with an unheated tube of solution. Observe all
three tubes and note how they compare. Is the reaction reversible? Do these results indicate that the
forward reaction is exothermic or endothermic? Make notes to help you report back to the client on
the significance of what youve seen today.
Experimental Procedure- Week 2, Feb. 13th-17th
Last weeks phase of the experiment was qualitative, relying on the observation of color changes by
eye, but this week you will be measuring the amount of color with a spectrophotometer. For this type of
quantitative analysis, you need to be as exact as possible about the volumes that you measure. You will
use 10.00 mL volumetric flasks to make up your solutions- with a volumetric flask you bring the total
volume up to the white line to achieve a very accurate final volume. You will use automatic
micropipettors to obtain known amounts of the reagents which are then dispensed into the volumetric
flasks. Although many of you may have used these before in Biology laboratories, a few notes on their
proper use follows. You will use a 200-1000 L Finnpipette that we recommend setting to 500- this is
500 L or 0.5 mL. By dispensing 0.5 mL portions, you can conveniently add 0.5 mL, 1 mL, 1.5 mL, and
so on by simply making multiple additions. Please make sure that you never dial the pipettor past the
maximum volume, in this case 1000 L. To draw up the sample into the pipette tip, first place a clean tip
on your pipette. Pour some reagent into the provided beaker. Push the top pipette button downwards
until you feel it catch on a notch, immerse the pipette tip in the sample, and slowly release the pressure
you are exerting on the button. Check the tip to make sure you didnt capture any air bubbles. To
dispense the sample, push the button all the way down. You can keep a pipette tip in the beaker and use
it over and over. Each solution beaker can have one pipette tip and youll be helping CSI to be green. If
you have any questions about the micropipettors, please ask your instructor or student assistant
before use. Micropipettors can be severely damaged if they are incorrectly used.
A. Determination of the Wavelength of Maximal Absorbance of the FeNCS+2 Ion
You will establish a standard curve to calibrate the absorbance-concentration dependence of the
FeNCS+2 complex ion, but first you will need to determine the wavelength of maximal absorbance of the
chromophore using the spectrophotometers. Refer to the Spectrophotometer handout (provided at each
instrument) for detailed instructions on the use of these instruments. These very small
spectrophotometers are interfaced to the computers in the laboratory for data acquisition during this
experiment and Experiment II.

CH 142- Experiment 1- Spring 2012

1. Using your 10-mL volumetric flask, prepare 10.0 mL of an iron-thiocyanate solution containing 1.00
mL of 0.200 M Fe(NO3)3 and 2.00 mL of 0.00200 M KNCS. Use the micropipettes to measure these
volumes once you have poured the liquid into a beaker. ONLY pipette from beakers, never from
bottles!
Carefully add enough distilled H2O to the flask to bring the final volume to the white etched line on
the flask. Fill a cuvette three-quarters full with this solution. Be sure to wipe the cuvette with a
Kimwipe to remove fingerprints.
2. Blank the spectrophotometer according to the handout. Use 0.200 M Fe(NO3)3 alone as your
reference solution in its own cuvette.
3. Determine the wavelength of maximal absorbance (the max) for the FeNCS+2 solution and use this
wavelength in subsequent absorbance measurements. If the peak has an absorbance that is greater
than about 2, the peak may be somewhat flattened or off-scale. In this case, it may be difficult to
determine exactly what wavelength is the max. You should therefore dilute the solution with water
(by a known factor) until the absorbance reading is on scale. Record the absorbance reading- you can
use this as one of the data points for your standard curve.
B. Generation of the Standard Curve
Ideally, for a good standard curve, the absorbance readings should be in the range of about 0.01->1.8 (an
absorbance of 2 corresponds to 99% of the light being absorbed, which is at the upper limit of what can
be measured accurately). You will have to select an appropriate range of FeNCS+2 concentrations based
on your observations from Part A. You will use a large excess of Fe+3 ion, which will drive the reaction
to completion. Thus, you can assume that the final FeNCS+2 concentration is equal to the initial
concentration of KNCS, as the KNCS is the limiting reagent. Note that the Fe(NO3)3 solution is made up
to include HNO3 at a final concentration of 0.0100 M to prevent the formation of other iron complexes
that may exist in the presence of base, but you do not have to account for this in any of your
calculations.
1. Prepare five more solutions in 10-mL volumetric flasks containing varying concentrations of
FeNCS+2 in a total final volume of 10.00 mL. Each solution should contain 1.00 mL of 0.200 M
Fe(NO3)3 and known, varying amounts of 0.00200 M KNCS. Add water to bring the final volume to
10.0 mL in each case. We recommend that in all cases your final concentration of KNCS is no
higher than 0.8 mM, or the sample is likely to have an off-scale absorbance reading.
2. Take the absorbance at the wavelength determined in Part A for each of the solutions. If the
absorbance readings are not within appropriate limits, make up more solutions until you have at least
six concentrations that are within the 0.01 1.8 absorbance range.
3. Construct a standard curve using Excel as described in the Data Analysis section. Save & print the
curve & data table for your client report.
C. Determination of the Kf
You will now make up a solution containing constant amounts of Fe+3 and varying amounts of NCSand use the standard curve to determine the final FeNCS+2 concentration based on the measured
absorbance. This will allow you to calculate Kf.
6

CH 142- Experiment 1- Spring 2012

1. Mix five combinations of Fe and NCS each in a total final volume of 10.00 mL. For each, use 5.00
mL of 0.00200 M Fe(NO3)3 [this is a different solution than the one used above!], and known,
varying amounts of the 0.00200 M KNCS, making up the total volume with water.
+3

2. Determine the absorbance of the FeNCS+2 complex ion for each solution after blanking appropriately
(WHAT SHOULD YOUR REAGENT BLANK BE THIS TIME? THINK CAREFULLY.). Use the
standard curve generated in Part B to convert the absorbance value into a concentration. This
concentration reflects the [FeNCS+2]eq. Remember that your absorbance values should lie on the
standard curve for best accuracy. If some of your trials are off the standard curve, make up new
solutions until you have at least five absorbances that are on your standard curve, besides the blank.
Data Analysis

In Excel, construct a standard curve of absorbance versus [FeNCS+2] (mol/L) for your standard
solutions of Part B. Remember that in Excel the first data column corresponds to X and the second
corresponds to Y; thus, your first column should be concentration, not absorbance. Note that [0, 0]
should be included as a data point. Determine the equation of the best-fit line and the R2 value. Make
sure that you print your standard curve and have it to attach to your client report. Dont forget to
have axes labeled, including units (and in this case include what specific wavelength was used). The
convention for a graph title is whats on Y axis vs. whats on X axis.

From the standard curve, calculate the [FeNCS+2]eq for each of your trials of Part C.

Use the stoichiometry of the FeNCS+2 complex ion formation to determine how much of each
reactant was consumed and what the corresponding equilibrium concentrations of Fe+3 and NCSwould be for your five trials of Part C.

Use the equilibrium values of the [Fe+3], [NCS-], and [FeNCS+2] to calculate Kf as in equation (2)
above for each of your solutions. Calculate an average Kf, , the standard deviation, the relative
standard deviation, and the % precision for your trials of Part C. You may wish to refer to the Error
Analysis (found on lab web page) for information on the relative standard deviation.

Client Report
Prepare a ONE-PAGE typed letter for the theatre client that hired you, summarizing your findings.
You should attach to this letter all spreadsheets, graphs, and tables that you used to make your findings.
You want to include both your qualitative and quantitative findings. Make sure that your report is at an
appropriate level for your audience: in this case, the highly intelligent props manager at the theatre
company who has not seen any chemistry since high school. Include a description of the underlying
principle that explains the shift of the iron-thiocyanate reaction in terms of a response to the particular
stress that was added. Using this theory, hypothesize whether the reaction is endothermic or exothermic
and how the temperature of the theatre or of Lizzie Bordens victims could affect the equilibrium. Make
sure that you include an error analysis in your report. Remember your Lab Syllabus gives you a
guideline for the Client Report. Your success on reporting the findings to this client will likely bring
CSI more business and recognition for your starring role!