Lab No#: 16

Title: Equilibrium Constant (Plan and design)

Hypothesis: The equilibrium constant for the esterfication reaction for the
formation of ethyl ethanoate can be determined by a volumetric analysis.
Aim: To determine the equilibrium constant for the formations of ethyl ethanoate
in an esterification reaction between ethanoic acid and ethanol in the presence
of HCl as a catalyst using volumetric analysis.
Apparatus /Materials: Standardized NaOH(2 moldm-3), HCl, glacial ethanoic acid,
ethanol, 50cm3 , burette, conical flask, stopper, phenolphthalein indictor.
Diagram:

Method:
1. Measure 10cm3 of HCl, 10cm3 of ethanol and 10cm3 of ethanoic acid in
separate measuring cylinders and transfer solutions into a conical flask
immediately plugging the mouth of the flask with a rubber bung. Repeat
procedure for another conical flask. Shake both flasks well and let mixtures
stand for a few days to reach equilibrium.
2. Wash the burette with soap followed by tap water and then distilled water
and set up as shown in diagram.
3. Condition and fill the burette with standardized NaOH with aid of a funnel
4. Add 2 drops of phenolphthalein to one of the equilibrium mixtures and
begin titration.
5. When the colourless solution turns has gain its first faint pink colour, stop
titrating and record the value of NaOH used.
6. Refill burette and repeat step 4 and 5 for the other equilibrium mixture.

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7. Measure 10cm3 of HCl and pour in a clean conical flask. Titrate the HCl
against NaOH. Stop when the solution gains a faint pink and record the
volume of NaOH used.

Variables:
Manipulated: equilibrium mixtures (sample 1 was titrated then sample 2)
Responding: Amount of NaOH used.
Constant/Control: Drops of phenolphthalein, Volume of equilibrium mixture
used and amount of catalyse titrated with NaOH.

Results:
Table showing The Volume of NaOH used with Equilibrium
mixtures and Catalyse.
Equilibrium mixtures
1

HCl catalyst

Final burette
reading/cm3
Initial burette
reading/cm3
Volume of NaOH
used/cm3

Data Analysis:
Step 1: Find the Average titrate Vol.
Add all the titrate volumes for the amount of NaOH used in equilibrium
mixture and then divide by two.
Step 2: Find the number of moles in the average volume of NaOH used by the
equation:
Amount = Volume of NaOH used x Concentration of NaOH(2moldm -3)
1000
Step 3: Find the number of mole of HCl that reacted with NaOH by the equation:
Amount = Volume of NaOH used for catalyst x Concentrating of
NaOH(2moldm-3) 1000.
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Step 4: Find the amount of moles NaOH that reacted with the ethanoic acid:
No of moles NaOH reacted with equilibrium mixture No of mole reacted
with catalyst.
The number of mole gained from step four is equal to the concentration of
ethanoic acid at equilibrium as NaOH and ethanoic acid react in a 1:1mole ratio.
The concentration of ethanoic acid at equilibrium has just been calculated. Lets
give it the term A.
Step 5: Determine the initial concentration of Ethanoic acid:
Vol. of ethanoic acid used (10) x Concentration (15moldm-3) 1000
=0.15moldm-3
Step 6: Determine the initial concentration of Ethanol acid:
Vol. of ethanoic acid used (10) x Concentration (12moldm-3) 1000
=0.12moldm-3
Step 7: Work out the concentrations of ethanol, ethyl ethanoiate and water at
equilibrium.
A) First write the equation for the reaction.
B) Determine the mole rations.
C) Put in the initial concentrations of all reactants and products
D) Put in the concentrations at equilibrium of what you know and put X where
you dont know. You will end up with:
CH 3COOH(aq)+ C2H5OH(aq) CH3COOC2H5(l)+
H20(l)
Mole Ratio:
1mole
Intial Conc. /moldm-3
0
Equilm Conc. /moldm-3
X

1mole
0.15
A

1mole

1mole

0.12
X

0
X

Step 8: Determine concentrations:

Note everything is in a 1 mole ratio:
The initial concentration of ethanoic acid is 0.15 moldm -3 and at equilibrium A
remained. The amount used in the reaction = 0.15 moldm -3 A moldm-3 = Z.

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Therefore since 1 mole of ethanoic acid reacts with 1mole ethanol then Z mole
of ethanoic acid will react with Z mole of ethanol. The concentration of ethanol at
equilibrium will be 0.12 Zmoldm-3.
If 1 mole of ethanoic acid reacts with 1 mole of ethanol to produce 1 mole of
ethyle ethanoate and water respectively. Then Z mole of ethanoic acid reacts
with Z mole of ethanol to produce Z mole of ethyl ethanoate and water
respectively
Step 9: Determining the Equilibrium constant , K c.
Kc is determined by the equation:
A + 2B AB2
Kc = [Products]x [Reactants]y
Kc = [AB2]1 [A] [B]2
The power in which concentrations of the reactants are raised to, comes from the
equations. When there is a mole of one, there is no need to write in one as it is
understood.
The Kc expression for formation of ethyl ethanoate is:
Kc = [CH3COOC2H5] [H2O] [H2O] [CH3COOC2H5]
Now, substitute all your values for concentrations at its appropriate location.
Final step: Calculate the units of Kc.
Kc = (moldm-3) (moldm-3) (moldm-3) (moldm-3)
Kc = (moldm-3) (moldm-3) (moldm-3) (moldm-3)
Kc = has no units as all units cancel out each other.
Predicted results:
A colour change will occur during titrating and volumes of NaOH will be allowed
to be obtained.
A series of calculations will follow to determine the equilibrium constant.

Sources of Errors:
1. The titration was not stopped at the first sign of a colour change.
Assumptions:
1. Concentrations of ethanol and ethanoic acid.
2. Temperature is constant.
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