Aim
To prepare Mohr’s salt: ferrous
ammonium sulfate from ferrous
sulfate and ammonium sulfate in the
presence of acid.
Theory
The formula for ferrous ammonium
sulfate is FeSO4.(NH4)2SO4.6H2O. It
is prepared by dissolving Equimolar
mixture of hydrated ferrous sulfate
and ammonium sulfate in water
containing a little sulfuric acid. The
solution is subjected to crystallization,
ferrous ammonium sulfate separates
out from the solution.
The chemical reaction is given below.
FeSO4 + (NH4)2SO4 + 6H2O →
FeSO4.(NH4)2SO4.6H2O (Mohr’s salt)
The addition of sulfuric acid in this
experiment prevents the hydrolysis of
this salt. Ferrous ammonium sulfate
is a pale green crystalline compound
which does not effloresce like ferrous
sulfate. It is less readily oxidized than
FeSO4 and therefore, a better
volumetric reagent in preference to
ferrous sulfate.
Mohr’s salt is also called as double
salt which contain more than one
simple salt. It undergoes complete
dissociation in aqueous solutions.
Mohr’s salt dissociates into Fe2+,
NH4+, SO42- ions and give their
individual chemical test.
Mohr’s salt is light green transparent
octahedral crystals. It is soluble in
water giving acidic solution which
turns blue litmus paper red and gives
effervescence with sodium
bicarbonate evolving carbon dioxide.
Preparation of Mohr’s Salt
Ferrous Ammonium Sulfate also
called Mohr’s salt is prepared by
dissolving Equimolar mixture of
hydrated ferrous sulfate and
ammonium sulfate in water
containing a little Sulfuric acid. The
solution is subjected to crystallization.
Materials Required
1. Conical flask
2. Tripod stand
3. Burner
4. Funnel
5. Watch glass
6. Glass rod
7. Filter paper
8. Wire gauze
9. China dish
10. Ferrous sulfate
11. Ammonium sulfate
12. Dilute sulfuric acid
Apparatus Setup
Procedure
1. Weigh 7 g of ferrous sulfate
and 3.5 g of ammonium sulfate
separately.
2. Mix ferrous sulfate and
ammonium sulfate in water in a
beaker containing dilute sulfuric
acid.
3. Gently warm the solution in
order to get a clear solution.
4. Filter the solution in order to
remove suspended impurities and
concentrate the clear filtrate by
heating it china dish over a sand
bath till the crystallization point is
reached.
5. Stir the solution occasionally
during heating.
6. Keep the solution undisturbed
for slow cooling. After some time
crystal of ferrous ammonium
sulfate will get separated from the
solution.
7. Separate the crystals by
decantation from the mother liquor
and wash the crystals with cold
water.
8. Dry the crystals between the
folds of filter paper or by spreading
on a porous plate.
Observations
Colour of the crystal Light green
Shape of the crystal Octahedral
Solubility in water Soluble
Action of blue litmus paper Blue litmus turns red
Results
The yield of ferrous ammonium
sulfate or Mohr’s salt is 2.9 gm.
Precautions
Allow slow cooling and do not
disturb the solution during cooling
in order to get good quality
crystals.
During the process heating of the
solution should be done in a short
time only. Because prolonged
heating forms ferric ions along
with ferrous ammonium sulfate.
Suppose if the solution is yellow
instead of green the experiment
should be repeated.