Potassium Tris(oxalato)ferrate(III): A Versatile Compound To Illustrate the Principles of Chemical Equilibria

Abstract

Using a simple coordination compound, such as potassium tris(oxalato)ferrate(III), a series of test-tube reactions are proposed that allow students to visualize concepts such as equilibrium, stability, and solubility, as well as the physical constants associated with these concepts (equilibrium constant, stability constant, and solubility product). Displacement of the equilibria involved, depending on the quantity and properties of the reagents used, gives students a picture of how chemistry depends on equilibria processes.