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Topic: Oxidation of Fe with H2SO4  (Read 1226 times)

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Offline jensro

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Oxidation of Fe with H2SO4
« on: August 26, 2020, 06:52:11 AM »
Hi!

My task is to find the mass percentage of Fe in a razer blade. I do understand the calculations and the use of the  chemical equation; 5Fe2+ + 8H+ + MnO4- --- Mn2+ + 4H2O + 5Fe3+.

What I don't understand is that we use 3M H2SO4 for the oxidation of Fe to Fe2+, before starting the titration.

The reduction potential of SO42- + 4H+ +2e-  or 2H+ +2e- is high enough to oxidize Fe ---> Fe3+ + 3e-.

SO42- + 4H+ +2e-   are also able to oxidize Fe2+ ---> Fe3+ + e-. Why or how do I know that the sulfuric acid only oxidizes Fe to Fe2+?

Thanks!
Jens

Offline Borek

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Re: Oxidation of Fe with H2SO4
« Reply #1 on: August 26, 2020, 08:29:57 AM »
It is not sulfuric acid that is an oxidizer here.
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Offline jensro

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Re: Oxidation of Fe with H2SO4
« Reply #2 on: August 26, 2020, 11:24:53 AM »
MnO4- is an oxidizer for Fe2+ (to Fe3+), but H2SO4 is an oxidizer for Fe to Fe2+.

Offline AWK

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Re: Oxidation of Fe with H2SO4
« Reply #3 on: August 26, 2020, 11:30:10 AM »
Write down reaction of iron with sulfuric acid!
AWK

Offline jensro

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Re: Oxidation of Fe with H2SO4
« Reply #4 on: August 26, 2020, 11:40:57 AM »

Fe + 2H+ --> Fe2+  + H2
 
or

Fe+ 4H+ + SO42-  --> Fe2+ + H2SO3 + H2O.


Offline AWK

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Re: Oxidation of Fe with H2SO4
« Reply #5 on: August 26, 2020, 11:45:30 AM »
Forget the second reaction.
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Offline jensro

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Re: Oxidation of Fe with H2SO4
« Reply #6 on: August 26, 2020, 11:49:45 AM »
Why?

And still; the reaction with 2H+ +2e- --> H2 will theoretically be able to oxidize Fe to Fe3+ (from standard reduction potential).

Offline Borek

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Re: Oxidation of Fe with H2SO4
« Reply #7 on: August 26, 2020, 01:00:47 PM »
And still; the reaction with 2H+ +2e- --> H2 will theoretically be able to oxidize Fe to Fe3+ (from standard reduction potential).

Nope. As far as I am aware H+ (not sulfuric acid, just H+) is capable of oxidizing solid Fe to Fe2+ but not further.

Quote
Why?

Yes, concentrated sulfuric acid is an oxidizer and in some specific cases can get reduced to SO32-. Not in the presence of excess water though, and 3M solution is quite diluted.
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Offline jensro

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Re: Oxidation of Fe with H2SO4
« Reply #8 on: August 26, 2020, 01:21:16 PM »
Fe--> Fe3+  + 3e-    E0=0.04V, so theoretically it will, but fair enough.

Thanks!

Offline Borek

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Re: Oxidation of Fe with H2SO4
« Reply #9 on: August 26, 2020, 01:48:04 PM »
Fe--> Fe3+  + 3e-    E0=0.04V, so theoretically it will

None of the sources I consider reliable confirms this number.
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Offline jensro

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Re: Oxidation of Fe with H2SO4
« Reply #10 on: August 26, 2020, 03:14:03 PM »
Well, that is another discussion.

The values of the standard reduction potentials I've been given in school will set the start of my argumentation. In school context the principles are the most important.

Thanks again.

Offline Enthalpy

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Re: Oxidation of Fe with H2SO4
« Reply #11 on: August 27, 2020, 05:35:40 PM »
A razor blade is not made of iron. It uses to be stainless steel, with some 18% Cr that make a stable oxide layer to change the chemical behaviour completely. I feel unreasonable to apply iron redox potentials and make any deduction from them.

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