IV-Gluon Group 1 Leader: Noche, Jamie Joice G. Members: Laririt, Isaac Benjamin I. Castro, Anna Gabriele P. Conde, Ma.

Ysabella Elaine D. Jalandoni, Juliane Beatriz A.

Date Submitted: September 10, 2013

Relative Acid-Base Strength of the Hydroxide of the 3rd row Elements Objectives: To observe the trend of acidity across the third row elements To identify which hydroxy of elements are acidic, basic, or amphoteric. To show the reaction of the compounds

Materials: Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) Magnesium Hydroxide (Mg(OH)2) Aluminum Hydroxide (Al(OH)3) Silicon Dioxide Hydrate (SiO2nH2O) Phosphoric Acid(PO(OH)3) Sulfuric Acid (SO2(OH)2) Perchloric Acid (ClO3(OH)) 6M Hydrochloric Acid (HCl) 6M Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) Methyl Orange Phenolphthalein pH indicator strips test tubes

Procedure

Three samples of each solution was placed in small separate test tubes.

To the sample 1 of each solution, pH was measured using pH paper.

To the sample 2 of each solution, drops of phenolphthalein were added.

To the sample 3 of each solution, drops of methyl orange were added.

To each sample 1 of Mg(OH)2, Al(OH)3, and SiO2 nH2O, 6M HCl was added, with occasional shaking after every drop.

To each sample 2 of Mg(OH)2, Al(OH)3, and SiO2 nH2O, 6M NaOH was added, with occasional shaking after every drop.

All the color changes in each of the testtubes were noted.

Data and Results Table 1. Solution NaOH Mg(OH)2 Al(OH)3 SiO2 nH2O PO(OH)3 SO2(OH)2 ClO3(OH) PH paper 12 9 6 5 1 1 0 CH3 orange yellow yellow yellow yellow red red red Phph purple purple clear no reaction no reaction no reaction lighter no reaction 6M HCl 6M NaOH

Discussion When the oxides of metallic elements (Na and Mg) in period III react with water, the reaction is given by the following: Na2O + H2O --> 2NaOH The reactants produce strong bases, NaOH and Mg(OH)2. On the other hand, when the oxide of a nonmetallic element react with water, an acid is produced. An example is the oxide of phosphorus, P4O10, reacting with water, given by the following equation: P4O10 + 6H2O --> 4H3PO4 MgO + H2O --> Mg(OH)2

Fig. 1. Period III in the periodic table As one goes along period III (as seen in fig. 1.), the pH of the hydroxides of the elements decreases in pH level. Based on the results in table 1, it can be seen that the hydroxides of Na and Mg, namely, NaOH and Mg(OH)2, respectively, are strong bases. On the other hand, the hydroxides of Si, P, S and Cl are acids. Al(OH)3 is a special case in which it can act as an acid and as a base. This is called amphoterism. Aluminum Hydroxide can neutralize both acid and a base. The following equations show its reaction to an acid and a base. As a base : Al(OH)3 + 3 HCl AlCl3 + 3 H2O As an acid : Al(OH)3 + NaOH Na[Al(OH)4]

The elements Na and Mg

are electropositive have low electronegativity. Because of this,

electrons of metal M are easily lost to the oxygen of the OH group, thus weakens the M-OH bond and OH- ions are released. It is shown by the following reaction: M-O-H --> M+ + OHTherefore, hydroxides of these elements are strong bases. The elements S, Cl and P are electronegative (meaning, they have high electronegativity). Hence, the electrons of the non-metals are not easily lost to oxygen. The MO-H bond weakens releasing the H+ ions. Therefore, the hydroxides of these elements are weak bases but strong acids. It is showm by the following reaction: N-O-H --> NO- + H+ The hydroxide of Al shows both acidic and basic character.

Fig.2a. Lewis structure of PO(OH)3

Fig. 2b. Lewis structure of SO2(OH)2

Figc. 3. Lewis structure of ClO3(OH)

The H atoms are far from the central atom (as shown in figs. 2a, 2b and 2c) making them easy to remove. So when the compound is placed in water, the H-atoms are easily dissociated making them acids.

Conclusion The elements in the third row of the periodic table increases in pH from left to right. Therefore, the one on the left is the most acidic, somewhere in between is an amphoteric and the ones on the right are basic. Based on the results, hydroxides of Na and Mg are acidic, Al(OH) 3 is amphoteric, meaning it can act as a base and as an acid, and the hydroxides of S, Cl, and P are basic. References Clark, J. (2005). Acid-Base Behaviour of Period 3 Oxides. Retrieved from:

http://www.chemguide.co.uk/inorganic/period3/oxidesh2o.html.

Oxides, Hydroxides, Hydrides, and the Strength of Acids and Base. (n.d). retrieved from: http://www.chem.ufl.edu/~itl/4411/lectures/lec_z3.html.
Petrucci, Ralph H. & Harwood, W. S., General Chemistry: Principles and Modern Applications. 7th Ed. New Jersey: PrenticeHall International, Inc., 1997. Silberberg, M. S. (2006). Chemistry: The Molecular Nature of Matter and Change, 4th ed. McGraw-Hill: New York, USA.