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Can oxalic acid be used as a primary standard to standardise a basic solution, such as sodium hydroxide?
Thanks.
3 Answers
- Trevor HLv 71 decade agoFavourite answer
I checked through a list of recommended primary standards, which must meet a very high set of requirements to be so classified. Oxalic acid is not included in this list. This could be due to a number of reasons, such as for instance, hygroscopicity, indefinite end point among others.I do not know the exact reason.
Here are the requirements of a good primary standard:
A primary standard in chemistry is a reliable, readily quantified substance. Features of a primary standard include:
1. High purity
2. Stability (low reactivity)
3. Low hygroscopicity and efflorescence
4. High solubility (if used in titration)
5. High equivalent weight
6. It should be nontoxic
7. It should be readily available (inexpensive)
8. It should be environmentally friendly
It woluld be better to use the conventional primary standards such as KHP.
- Anonymous1 decade ago
Would it just be a standard acid base neutralization reaction, where the acid reacts with a base, such as NaOH, to form a salt, sodium oxalate, plus water. Id need to use an indicator such as phenolphthalein though, to indicate the end point of the titration.
- uppaluri kLv 51 decade ago
Certainly if the oxalic acid solution is fresh. It can be used for up to a week no more.