Chemistry Forum

"Hello, could you please help me?
What happens in this inorganic chemistry reaction:
In a test tube, 1 mL of 5% MgSO₄ is added, followed by the addition of 10 drops of oxine (C₉H₇NO).
What is the chemical equation that occurs and what is observed in the test tube at the end?"

Oxine, 8- Hydroxiquinoline is a complex agent and reacts with metals, like Magnesium

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/ja01375a016

The chemical reaction that occurs in the test tube when adding 1 mL of 5% MgSO₄ and 10 drops of oxine (C₉H₇NO) can be the following:

2C₉H₇NO + MgSO₄ -> (C₉H₆NO)₂Mg + H₂SO₄

In this reaction, oxine (C₉H₇NO) reacts with magnesium sulfate (MgSO₄) to form a coordination complex called magnesium oxinate [(C₉H₆NO)₂Mg] and sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) as a byproduct.

Observations:
At the end of the reaction, some changes may be seen in the test tube. These observations may vary depending on the specific characteristics of the reaction and the experimental conditions. Some possible observations may include:

Color Change: There may be a change in the color of the solution in the test tube, either due to the formation of a colored complex or the presence of sulfuric acid.

Precipitate Formation: A precipitate may form in the test tube as a result of the reaction between the reagents. This arose from the specific properties of the compounds involved.

Gas release: If there is a gas release, bubbles or a change in the volume of the solution may be observed in the test tube.

It is important to note that observations may vary depending on the exact concentrations of the reagents, the reaction conditions, and the presence of other compounds in the mixture. To get a more accurate description of the observations, it is necessary to perform the experiment under controlled conditions and measure the changes precisely.

I am of the same opinion that oxine (C₉H₇NO) reacts with magnesium sulfate (MgSO₄) to form a coordination complex called magnesium oxinate

I think it depends on your 10 drops more or less. Is it possible that when the ratio is not enough, there will be no reaction between them?

No, there will be every time a reaction.

frittermiaow wrote: ↑Wed Jul 12, 2023 9:03 pm I think it depends on your 10 drops more or less. Is it possible that when the ratio is not enough, there will be no reaction between them?

No, chemical reactions happen under molecular units, not drops.