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Q8.30:
Why is a solution of potassium hydroxide used to absorb carbon dioxide evolved during the estimation of carbon present in an organic compound?

Solution :

Step 1: Theoretical Framework of Combustion Analysis

The estimation of carbon in an organic compound is performed via the Liebig combustion method. In this procedure, a known mass of an organic substance is heated in the presence of excess oxygen (usually provided by copper(II) oxide, $CuO$). The combustion reaction facilitates the complete oxidation of carbon atoms to carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) and hydrogen atoms to water vapor ($H_2O$).

The chemical transformation for a hydrocarbon $C_xH_y$ is represented as:

$C_xH_y + (x + y/4)O_2 \rightarrow xCO_2 + (y/2)H_2O$ [Law of Conservation of Mass]

Step 2: Role of Potassium Hydroxide ($KOH$)

Potassium hydroxide is a strong base with a high affinity for acidic oxides. When the gaseous products of combustion ($CO_2$ and $H_2O$) are passed through a U-tube containing concentrated aqueous $KOH$ (or solid $KOH$ pellets), the $CO_2$ is selectively absorbed. This is an acid-base neutralization reaction resulting in the formation of potassium carbonate ($K_2CO_3$):

$2KOH + CO_2 \rightarrow K_2CO_3 + H_2O$ [Acid-Base Neutralization Principle]

Step 3: Analytical Justification for Selective Absorption

The efficiency of the estimation depends on the isolation of the mass of $CO_2$. The logic for utilizing $KOH$ follows these specific analytical requirements:

  • Chemical Specificity: $KOH$ reacts quantitatively and irreversibly with $CO_2$ to form a stable salt, ensuring the total mass of the carbon source is captured within the U-tube.
  • Mass Increment Method: By measuring the U-tube before and after the passage of combustion gases, the increase in mass represents exactly the mass of $CO_2$ evolved. [Postulate of Gravimetric Analysis].
  • Exclusion of Interferences: While other bases could theoretically absorb $CO_2$, $KOH$ is preferred due to its high solubility and rapid reaction kinetics at room temperature.

Step 4: Visualizing the Gas Absorption Assembly

U-Tube (KOH) Inlet ($CO_2$) Outlet

Step 5: Mathematical Relation to Carbon Content

Once the mass of $CO_2$ ($m_{CO_2}$) is obtained via the $KOH$ absorption, the mass of carbon ($m_C$) in the original organic compound ($m$) is calculated using the molar ratio of $C$ in $CO_2$:

$m_C = \frac{12.01}{44.01} \times m_{CO_2}$

Percentage of Carbon $= \frac{m_C}{m} \times 100$

Final Solution: A solution of potassium hydroxide is used because it acts as a highly efficient and specific absorbent for carbon dioxide, facilitating the gravimetric determination of the total carbon content by converting the gas into solid potassium carbonate, thereby allowing for precise mass measurement.


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