Water of Hydration Experiment 7 Noe Vasquez CHEM 1111.

2004 June 22, 2012 Instructor: Roel Flores

Purpose / Objective: The purpose and objective of this experiment is to evaluate the percentage of water in a hydrated salt. The calculated percentage will then be compared to theoretical values, and conclusions drawn. Hydrates are crystalline salts that contain water chemically bound in the crystal in definite proportions. These weakly bonded water molecules associated with the salt are known as waters of hydration or waters of crystallization. The dot (.) between the chemical formulas represents this weak bond. The waters of hydration can be driven off as water vapor with heating, leaving the salt. The bond is so weak, simple heat applied to the hydrated salt will break the bond. The remaining salt is referred to as anhydrous (without water). The salt and water are combined in definite molar proportions in a hydrate. The hydrate formula indicates the mole ratio of water to salt. If water is added to the anhydrous salt, the reverse of previously mentioned occurs. The water reattaches to the salt, and this is known as a reversible action. Some anhydrous compounds have a strong tendency to absorb water vapor from the air, thus becoming hydrated compounds. These anhydrous compounds find use as moisture removing or reducing agents. An example is the small desiccant packages found within pill containers. There presence reduces the risk of the pills becoming spoiled due to moisture. Such compounds are said to be hygroscopic. Some of these compounds absorb water to such an extent that they actually dissolve in the water that they take up. When this is the case, the compounds are known as deliquescent. Sodium hydroxide, NaOH, is an example of this compound. On the other hand, some hydrated compounds tend to spontaneously lose their waters of hydration when they are placed in a dry environment. These compounds are known as efflorescent. Sodium sulfate decahydrate, Na2SO410H2O is an example of this compound. Discussion, Results, Conclusion: Waters of hydration can be removed by simply applying heat or added by the accumulation water (distilled) to the salt. Experiment 7 directly allowed the student to perform this on CuSO4.5H2O, and an unknown reagent. The experiment began with part A, reversibility of hydration. It was initiated with the placement of 1g of hydrated CuSO4.5H2O in an evaporating dish. The light blue color was observed and recorded in the lab manual. The reagent was then gently heated until a there was a color change that progressed from the light blue to a brown before ending in a beige, which was recorded. It is very important to allow the dish to cool completely before applying the distilled water to avoid personal injury and damage to the dish. Approximately 10 drops of distilled water was added to the evaporating dish. The color changed to a moss green, and this was recorded. In part B, the percentage of water in magnesium sulfate hepahydrate was determined. This section began with the heating of a clean crucible and lid until glowing red for 5 minutes. The crucible was allowed to cool, and was weighed at 30.49g. 4g of MgSO4.7H2O was added to crucible, with a total mass of 34.47g. The crucible and contents was heated until glowing red for 15 minutes. While performing this, it is important to allow the lid to remain offset, for this allows the evaporating water to escape. The crucible was then allowed to cool to room temperature, and the mass recorded was 32.42g in the anhydrous state. The percent water in MgSO4.7H2O was calculated with the given formula (2.05g mass of water given off / 4.02g mass of hydrate x 100) at 51.00g. The theoretical percent of H2O was calculated (7 waters x 18 amu / 246.4 x 100) at 54.14 percent. The experiment results versus theoretical results were very

close, being just at 0.14 percent off. Any differences in the actual versus theoretical could be related to heating time, heat intensity, and moisture in the air. In part C, the percentage of water of an unknown hydrated salt was determined. 4g of the unknown was prepared in the same manner and sequence as previously discussed in part B. The mass of crucible and lid was 36.15 with the added 4g of the unknown salt. The mass of water given off after heating was 1.95g, and the mass of anhydrous unknown was 2.05g. The calculation of the percent water in the unknown (1.95g mass of water given off / 4.00 mass of hydrate x 100) was calculated at 48.75 percent. The formula weight of 159.6 amu was provided, and the water of hydration of the unknown hydrate (1.95g / 18 amu = 0.1083; 2.05g / 159.6 amu = 0.0128) was calculated at 8.46, or approximately 8 waters of hydration (A.S. . H2O). Great care was taken and exact procedures were followed, as described by lab manual, which allowed overall calculation to be extremely close to theoretical value. This experiment requires the use of formulas demonstrated in pages 57 through 61 of the laboratory manual. As in all lab work, great care must be taken to prevent deviations from the expected result values, and great care must be taken when working with flammable gas and burners in the lab, and with hot laboratory equipment and possible dangerous reagents. Overall, this laboratory was very interesting and involved good team work between student laboratory partners. The formulas used allowed an insight into the significance of the calculation of water of hydration, and the supervision and guidance of Mr. Flores facilitated the entire process, making this yet again a great learning experience. References: Richard L. Wheet. Chemical Reactions and Practice, 8th Edition. Texas State Technical College, 2010, 57 64. Linda D. Williams. Chemistry Demystified. New York. McGraw-Hill, 2003. 145 155. UC Davis Chem Wiki. 2012. 22 June, 2012. <http://chemwiki.ucdavis.edu/>