Synthesis of tetramethylammonium pentaiodide

By:

Benyapa Kaewjinda 5961171

Nitchanan Thapthim 5961024

Pakjira Chartpumrujee 5961165

Sumeta Vongpiphopmongko 5961062

Samaphoo Assametankul 5961068

Vin Phattharasiriroj 5961122

Chemistry

Ms. Sorasee Tonsiengsom

Mahidol University International Demonstartion School

Semester 1 Academic Year 2017-2018

Abstract
 In this lab, tetramethylammonium pentaiodide crystals are synthesized using
iodine and tetramethylammonium. At first, both 1.3 grams of iodine and 0.5 grams of
tetramethylammonium are mixed with 12 mL of ethanol and then heated on a hot
plate. After that we cool down the solution, then put it in the ice bath. And then the
solution is filtered using vacuum filtration and washed by hexane to purify the crystal
that is mixed with the solution. After filtration, the crystals on the filter paper is set
aside for one day then we weigh out the product. In which the actual yield is 1.15
grams and theoretical yield is 1.797639209 grams. Hence, the percent yield is
63.97%.

Objective

The objective of this lab experiment is to use our knowledge from the lesson

in class that is about chemical reaction and limiting reagent and apply it to the lab, in

order to find and study the results.

Introduction
In the planet, there are many elements that were found by scientists and there
are some or more of them that humans haven’t found yet. The element is a
substance that is completely made from only one atom, in which it cannot be broken
down or separated. It was characterized by its atomic number. In present, there are
118 elements that have been found and proofed by scientists(Marie Curie, 2014).
When different elements combine together, it becomes compound. When atoms
breaks or creates to form new molecules, it is called a chemical reaction. The
chemical reaction will take place when the reactants collide with each other. The
result of the reaction is called product(Chemical reactions, 2015).

In order to know how much the product will be formed from the reactant or
how much reactant we have to use in order to make some amount of products. We
have to determine the limiting reagent which is the substance that consume when
the chemical reaction is complete and the reaction can’t continue without the limiting
reagent. Moreover, we have to compare the ratio between the reactant and product.
We will know the amount of substances that we have to use or we will get. Plus, we
can determine amount of mole that have to use in reaction by measuring the amount
of product that crystallized. In the solution, when the solute and solvent are mixed
together with heat, all of the solutes will dissolve. Because of the water molecules
move farther apart, the solid substance can dissolve well. After that, the solute will
form a crystal at the base of the beaker when it cools down. Thus, we can filtrate
crystals and measure in order to find the mole of the product.

Materials

1. 50 mL beaker
2. 0.5 g of tetramythlammonium iodide
3. Stirring rod
4. 1.3 g of iodine
5. 12 mL of 95% ethanol
6. Hot plate
7. Ice bath
8. Vacuum filtration
9. 2.7 mL of hexanes

Procedure

1. Add to a 50 mL beaker tetramethylammonium iodide (0.5 g). Use a stirring rod to

break up clumps of Me4N+I-.

2. Add iodine (1.3 g) and 95% ethanol (12 mL).

3. In a fume hood, gently heat the beaker, with stirring, on a hot-plate for about 10
minutes until tetramethylammonium iodide was dissolved.

4. Heat at a low temperature to prevent premature crystallization.

5. Remove from the heat and allow the beaker to cool down undisturbed. (Agitating
the solution can cause smaller crystals to form which are more difficult to isolate and
tend to occlude impurities)

6. The crystals should form during this time.

7. Once at room temperature, further cooling can be achieved by placing the beaker
in an ice bath for about 10 minutes. Only put the solution on ice if necessary. During
this time, set up the apparatus for suction filtration.

8. Using vacuum filtration, collect the crystals and wash them with hexanes (5 mL
portions until filtrate dropping from funnel is colorless, max. 5 washings).
9. Air-dry the product with weigh.

10. Hand in a sample, in a capped vial, labelled with your name, the name of the
compound and the date to the lab instructor.

Results

Reactant Product

Chemical Formula Me4N+I- 2I2 Me4N+I5-

Amount (gram) 0.5 1.3 1.15

Amount (mol) 0.00253643 0.00512241 0.002398937694

Act as limiting reagent excess reagent -

Appearance black, fine,

powder-like
crystals

actual yield 1.15g

Calculation
Discussion
In this experiment, the reactants; tetramethylammonium iodide (Me 4N+I-) and Iodine
(2I2); will give us the result of tetramethylammonium pentaiodide (Me4N+I5-).

This reaction can be written in a chemical formula: Me4N+I- + 2I2 = Me4N+I5-

Our reactants are 0.5g. of tetramethylammonium iodide and 1.3g of iodine.

The mole of Me4N+I- is 0.00253643 mole and 2I2 is 0.00512241 mole.

Our product is 1.7g of tetramethylammonium pentaiodide (Me4N+I5-). The

mole of Me4N+I5- is 0.002398937694

In chemical reaction, the reactant that use up first in a reaction is called

limiting reagent(reactant that determined how much of the product are made). The
other reactant is called excess reagent which is the reactant that not necessary to
react with limiting reagent so it leftover after limiting reagent is used. In our
calculation, the mole of Me4N+I- is 0.00253643 mole and 2I2 is 0.00512241 mole. So
limiting reagent in this experiment is Me4N+I- and excess reagent is 2I2

Theoretical yield is the amount of product that get from the complete chemical
reaction of limiting reagent. To find the theoretical yield, we have to multiply limiting
reagent with molar mass of product

0.51g Me4N+I- x 1 mol Me4N+I5- x 1 mol Me4N+I5- x 708,647g Me4N+I5-

201.047g Me4N+I- 1 mol Me4N+I- 1 mol Me4N+I5-

= 1.798 g Me4N+I5-

Actual yield is the amount of grams we got from the finished product that have
already excluded the weight of the filter paper(so we get only the product’s weight
alone). To find percent yield, we have to divided the actual yield by theoretical yield
and times by one hundred.

1.15g x 100
1.798

= 63.97 %

For the cause of error, maybe sometimes our measure is not so precise that it
would result the product the same as the theoretical yield which can be resulted in a
slight error.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we conduct 0.5 g of tetramethylammonium and 1.3 g of iodine which

make the product of 1.13 g of tetramethylammonium pentaiodide. We claimed that
 tetramethylammonium is a limiting reagent and iodine is a excess reagent and
because the actual yield of product is equal to 1.15 g, and the theoretical yield of
1.79764 g, the percent yield of the product is 63.97%. Therefore, the amount of
limiting reagent will be using up during the reaction and the excess reagent will be
leftover after the reaction.

References

- Chemical reactions | Chemistry of life | Biology (article). (n.d.). Retrieved November

30, 2017, from https://www.khanacademy.org/science/biology/chemistry--of-
life/chemical-bonds-and-reactions/a/chemical-reactions-article
- Marie Curie (article) | 3. Stars & Elements. (n.d.). Retrieved November 30, 2017,
from https://www.khanacademy.org/partner-content/big-history-project/stars-and-
elements/knowing-stars-elements/a/marie-curie

Work Log

Pun Abstract and Introduction

Jean In-text citation and Re-check Introduction

Mint Procedure, Abstract, and Discussion

Belle References, Objective, and Calculations

Tawan Experiment, Pictures, and Conclusion

Hui Abstract, Material, Discussion and Results

Appendix

Procedure picture
Mixing

Material Pictures
 Gloves

Goggles

Electronic balance

Tetramethylammonium Iodide

Iodide