Preparation of Potash Alum

What is Potash alum?

Potash alum also called potassium aluminium sulfate is a chemical compound commonly encountered as the dodecahydrate. It is a double salt widely used in medicine and in the water purification process. Potash alum is not a complex salt. The chemical formula of potash alum is K₂SO₄.Al₂(SO₄)₃.24H₂O.

Table of Contents

• Aim
• Theory
• Materials Required
• Apparatus Setup
• Procedure
• Observations
• Results and Discussion
• Precautions
• Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

Aim:

To prepare potash alum from potassium sulfate and aluminium sulfate through crystallization.

Theory:

The formula for potash alum is K₂SO₄.Al₂(SO₄)₃.24H₂O. It is prepared by crystallizing the alum from a concentrated solution containing equimolar amounts of potassium sulfate and aluminium sulfate. It is a colourless, crystalline solid with a sour taste. The crystal of potash alum is octahedral. It is commonly known as ‘fitkari’.

The chemical reaction is given below.

K₂SO₄(aq) + Al₂(SO₄)₃(aq) → K₂SO₄. Al₂(SO₄)₃.24H₂O(s) (Potash Alum)

While dissolving aluminium sulphate in warm water a little amount of dilute sulphuric acid is added in order to prevent the hydrolysis of this salt.

When a solution containing two inorganic salts in a definite proportion is allowed to crystallize a double slat is said to have separated. The name alum is given to the special series of double salts. Aluminium is the most abundant metal and the recycling of aluminium products by melting and recasting into other metal products is used in the production of various aluminium compounds. In that one of the most useful compounds is potash alum.

Materials Required:

1. Potassium sulphate
2. Aluminium sulphate
3. Dil. sulfuric acid
4. Distilled water
5. Beaker
6. Conical flask
7. Tripod stand
8. Funnel
9. Burner
10. China dish
11. Wire gauze
12. Filter paper

Apparatus Setup:

Laboratory Preparation of Potash Alum from Aluminium Sulphate and Potassium Sulphate

Procedure:

1. Weigh 12.5g of potassium sulfate and dissolved in a minimum quantity of distilled water in a beaker. Stir to dissolve the crystals.
2. Take a conical flask, in that dissolve 50g of aluminium sulfate in warm water and add 3ml of dilute sulphuric acid to make the solution clear.
3. Filter the solutions if it is not clear.
4. Mix the two clear solutions in a china dish.
5. Place the china dish on a wire gauze over a burner.
6. Stir the solution and concentrate the solution till the crystallization point is reached.
7. Place the solution over a beaker containing cold water for a few hours.
8. Crystals of potash alum will get separated, filter them from the mother liquor and wash them with a small quantity of cold water.
9. Dry the crystals by pressing gently between the folds of the filter paper.
10. Weigh them on the chemical balance to know the yield.

Observations:

Results and Discussion:

1. The yield of Potash alum is _______ gm.
2. Expected yield is ______ gm.

Precautions:

• To prevent hydrolysis of aluminium sulfate, dilute sulphuric acid should be added while preparing the saturated solution.
• During crystallization do not disturb the solution.
• For dissolving salts always use warm water.
• The concentrated solution should be cooled slowly.

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