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- Title
A COLOR TEST THAT FAILED.
- Authors
DeLoach, W. S.; Hofer, C. E.
- Abstract
The article presents information on a color test that was conducted at an organic laboratory. In an experiment related to the properties of formic acid, the oxidation of a formate was being studied. Formic acid was to be neutralized with a dilute solution of sodium hydroxide and a dilute solution of potassium permanganate was then to be added dropwise. However, instead of the expected colorless or light brownish one, many students obtained a green solution on the addition of the potassium permanganate. The permanganate ion is reduced to the green manganate ion in alkaline solution by a variety of reducing agents, so it was assumed that a considerable excess of alkali had been added to the formic acid. Some other experiments soon demonstrated that a solution of sodium formate does not form a green solution on the addition of potassium permanganate, but will so react if it has been made sufficiently alkaline by the addition of sodium hydroxide solution. However, there is a possibility that several students will go through life firmly convinced that the oxidation of sodium formate by potassium permanganate is attended by the formation of a pretty green color.
- Subjects
CHEMISTRY experiments; COLOR; SCIENTIFIC experimentation; LABORATORIES; FORMIC acid; OXIDATION; SODIUM hydroxide; POTASSIUM permanganate; CARBOXYLIC acids
- Publication
Science Education, 1948, Vol 32, Issue 1, p36
- ISSN
0036-8326
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1002/sce.3730320110