Catalysis of the reaction between sodium

thiosulfate solution and iron(III) nitrate

solution
Class practical

The rate of reaction between iron(III) nitrate solution and sodium thiosulfate solution is
compared when different transition metal ions are used as catalysts. The catalysts used are
copper(II), nickel(II), cobalt(II) and iron(II) ions.

Lesson organisation
Students can do this experiment in pairs or small groups. If each pair of students attempts this
experiment, large volumes of both the iron(III) nitrate solution and the sodium thiosulfate solution
will be required.
Chemicals

Access to 0.1 M solutions of the following (Note 1):

Cobalt(II) chloride solution, (TOXIC), drops
Copper(II) sulfate solution, drops
Iron(II) sulfate solution, drops
Nickel(II) sulfate solution, (HARMFUL), drops
Iron(III) nitrate solution, 250 cm3
Sodium thiosulfate solution, 250 cm3
Refer to Health & Safety and Technical notes section below for additional information.
Apparatus

Eye protection
Stopclock or timer
Dropping pipette. Use the type of teat pipette usually fitted to Universal indicator bottles that does
not allow squirting
Glass measuring cylinder (100 cm3)
Measuring cylinder (50 cm3)

Health & Safety and Technical notes

Wear eye protection.
Cobalt(II) chloride solution, CoCl2(aq), (TOXIC) - see CLEAPSS Hazcard and Recipe Book.
Copper(II) sulfate solution, CuSO4(aq)- see CLEAPSS Hazcard and Recipe Book.
Iron(II) sulfate, FeSO4(aq) - see CLEAPSS Hazcard and Recipe Book.
Nickel(II) sulfate solution, NiSO4(aq), (HARMFUL) - see CLEAPSS Hazcard and Recipe Book.
Iron(III) nitrate solution, Fe(NO3)3(aq) - see CLEAPSS Hazcard and Recipe Book. If iron(III)
nitrate is not available, iron(III) chloride, 0.1 M, or iron(III) ammonium sulphate, 0.1 M, can be
used instead.
Sodium thiosulfate solution, Na2S2O3(aq) - see CLEAPSS Hazcard and Recipe Book.
1. It is important that the concentrations of the solutions are accurate. If higher concentrations are
used the experiment proceeds too quickly. It is useful if each group of students has access to their
own supply of solutions, this prevents contaminating the bulk supply. The catalyst solutions can be
provided in dropping bottles and the iron(III) nitrate and sodium thiosulfate solutions in 500 cm3
beakers.

Procedure
a Draw a cross on a piece of scrap paper and
put it underneath the 100 cm3
measuring cylinder so it can be seen
when looking down the cylinder
from the top.
b Using the 100 cm3 measuring cylinder,
measure 50 cm3 of sodium thiosulfate solution.
Place the cylinder back on top of the cross.
c Using a 50 cm3 measuring cylinder, measure
50 cm3 of iron(III) nitrate solution.
d Pour the iron(III) nitrate solution into the
sodium thiosulfate solution, and start the timer.
e Look through the reaction mixture from above
until the cross can first be seen. Stop the timer and record the time.
f Repeat this experiment, but add one drop of catalyst to the iron(III) nitrate solution before mixing.
Test the various catalysts in the same way.
g Record the times for no catalyst and all the catalysts tested.

Teaching notes

If too much catalyst is used then the reaction proceeds instantaneously. It is important that students
only use one drop of catalyst.
It is possible to set up this experiment using a light sensor and data logging. The data logging
software should show the colour change occurring on a graph. This gives more information than the
standard end point approach. The rate of change can be measured from the slope of the graph or the
time taken for the reaction to occur.
Student questions
Here are some possible questions to ask students.
1 Which is the best catalyst?
2 Why were only very dilute solutions of the catalysts used?
3 Could you slow the reaction down? If so, how?
Health and safety checked February 2008

Source URL: http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/practical-chemistry/catalysis-reaction-betweensodium-thiosulfate-solution-and-ironiii-nitrate-solut

Links:
[1] http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/node/1634/