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Alessandra Bassani
Mrs. Gephart
AP Chemistry
23 April 2018
Abstract
CareOne iron pills, lot #6HN1825, expiration date 06/2019, to determine if the concentration of
Fe²+ was accurate to the label (65mg) (5Fe²+ + 8H+ + MnO₄- ⟶5Fe³+ + Mn²+ + 4H₂O). The
KMnO₄ solution was standardized with iron (II) ammonium sulfate hexahydrate (Fe(NH₄)₂(SO₄)₂
・6H₂O) to a molar concentration of 0.00959M and reacted with approximately 0.300g of the iron
pills. The mass of Fe²+ was calculated by the moles of Fe²+ in the flask and the volume of
KMnO₄ delivered. The CareOne label states that the supplements contain 65mg of Fe²+ from the
ferrous sulfate (FeSO4), and they were calculated to have 66.1mg, which is a 7.36% error. The
calculated value of 66.1mg fits within the FDA regulated 95% prediction interval (92).
Introduction
unknown solution by reacting it with a solution that has a known concentration. To do this, the
KMnO₄ solution was standardized. The titrant (KMnO₄) was put in a buret and secured over an
Bassani 2
erlenmeyer flask. The tirant was slowly released into the flask until the equivalence point was
reached. The equivalence point of the reaction was reached when the number of moles of
electrons in the oxidation half reaction equaled the number of moles of electrons gained in the
reduction half reaction. This could be determined by a color change in the solution. This color
should have matched the color intensity of the color standard for the reaction. The reaction
reached its equivalence point when the color change remained longer than five seconds in the
solution. Once this occured, the moles of KMnO₄ delivered could be determined by
Stoichiometry is the relationship between different species in a reaction, and it was used
to standardize the KMnO₄ and determine the concentration of Fe²+ in CareOne iron pills. By
using the number of moles of (Fe(NH₄)₂(SO₄)₂・6H₂O) (FAS) in the flask (Fe²+ ⟶Fe³+), which
was a standard, it could be converted to the number of moles of KMnO₄ required to reach the
equivalence point (5Fe²+ + 8H+ + MnO₄- ⟶5Fe³+ + Mn²+ + 4H₂O). This comes from the balanced
reaction between Fe(NH₄)₂(SO₄)₂・6H₂O and KMnO₄. This is because the FAS provided Fe²+ to
be oxidized to Fe³+. By dividing the moles of KMnO₄ by the volume delivered, the concentration
of KMnO₄ could be determined more precisely. This was important when the KMnO₄ was
titrated into the iron pills, since the known concentration and volume of titrant delivered could be
used to find the mass of Fe²+ in the supplements. By performing this standardization, a more
precise concentration was able to be calculated, which helped with the validity of the experiment.
electrons between species. The reactant that loses electrons is oxidized, and is the reducing agent
since it causes other species to reduce. The reactant that gains electrons is reduced, and is the
Bassani 3
oxidizing agent since it causes other substances to be oxidized. This can be determined by the
oxidation numbers of each element in the species. The oxidation-reduction reaction that occurred
between KMnO₄ and FAS caused the Fe²+ to be oxidized to Fe³+ (Fe²+ ⟶Fe³+) (Equation 1) and
the MnO₄¯ to be reduced to Mn²+ (8H+ + MnO₄- ⟶Mn²+ + 4H₂O) (Equation 2). The net-ionic
oxidation reduction reaction between KMnO₄ and FAS is (5Fe²+ + 8H+ + MnO₄- ⟶5Fe³+ + Mn²+
The purpose of this lab was to analyze the Fe²+content in CareOne iron pills and
determine if the stated Fe²+ concentration of 65 mg on the label was accurate to the calculated
concentration. The Fe²+ comes from ferrous sulfate (FeSO4) which makes up the iron pill. It is
important that the amount of iron a person takes matches what is printed on the label, since the
supplement is taken to increase someone’s iron levels. People take different amounts of iron
depending on their age, gender, and health, and it is vital for the transportation of oxygen in the
blood. Without the proper Fe²+ levels, the body is unable to make red blood cells which are
needed for the body to function properly (Watson). When too much Fe²+ is taken, serious health
problems can develop, since there is too much free iron in the body. This can affect the brain and
liver, which can then damage vital cells (Arnarson). However, when too little Fe²+ is taken, a
person becomes anemic. This is a result of there being a low amount of hemoglobin in the body,
It was hypothesized that the Fe²+ mass in CareOne iron pills would be close to the 65 mg
stated on the label, because the Consumer Healthcare Products Association describes how the
manufacturer of dietary supplements must ensure that the information on the label is accurate
(Consumer Healthcare Products Association). Additionally, the Food and Drug Administration
monitors the information on the supplement to assure the labeling is correct (National Institutes
Bassani 4
of Health). By performing a redox titration, the concentration of Fe²+ in the iron pills was able to
be calculated to determine the accuracy of the label. Since the mass of the iron pills were
measured by mass by difference, it was expected that the Fe²+ concentration in the CareOne iron
pills (FeSO4) would be in accordance with the CareOne bottle label’s value of 65 mg.
A 50-mL buret was filled with KMnO₄ by following a standard operating procedure
which included washing the buret with soap, rinsing it with tap water, rinsing it with distilled
water, and rinsing it will small amounts of KMnO₄. The mass of three Erlenmeyer flasks were
then massed along with approximately 0.5 g of Fe(NH₄)₂(SO₄)₂・6H₂O (FAS) (see Table 1, page
7). Each flask received approximately 0.5 g of FAS, but the actual value was calculated by mass
page 12). To dissolve the FAS, 10 mL of distilled water and 5 mL of 3M H2SO4 were added to
each flask and swirled. For a reference on the color change that would occur when KMnO₄ was
added to the FAS solution, one drop of KMnO₄ was added to a beaker with 50 mL of water. This
was the color standard, and when the reaction reached its equivalence point, the color intensity
matched the color standard. The color lasted for at least five seconds.
Bassani 5
(Nazarenko) Figure 1.
An example of the redox titration with KMnO₄ as the titrant. The color change shown on the
right is the color change that occurs when the reaction reaches its equivalence point.
The KMnO₄ was then standardized to determine the concentration of the MnO₄- ion. The
initial volume of the buret with the KMnO₄ was recorded to ±0.01 mL, and then it was added to
each flask until the equivalence point was reached. Once this the color change matched the color
standard, the final volume of the buret was recorded (see Table 2, page 8). The amount of titrant
delivered was calculated by subtracting the ending volume of the KMnO₄ in the buret from the
starting volume (see Table 2: Determining Titrant Delivered for KMnO₄ Standardization, page
12). Since the number of grams of FAS in each flask was a known value, it was converted to
moles by dividing the grams by the the molar mass of FAS. This was then converted to the moles
of KMnO₄ by using stoichiometry. Since MnO₄- is a one to one ratio with KMnO₄, the number of
moles of KMnO₄ equaled the number of moles of MnO₄-. This value was then used to determine
the [MnO₄-] This was done for the three trials, and the concentrations were averaged together to
get a single concentration (see Table 3: Determining [MnO₄-], page 13). Once the concentration
of the MnO₄- was determined to be 0.00959 M, it was able to be used as the titrant for the
Bassani 6
determination of the Fe²+ concentration in the iron pill (see Table 3: Determining [MnO₄-], page
13).
The mass of ten iron pills was recorded and averaged to get the mass of one iron pill (see
Table 4: Determining Average Mass of Iron Pill, page 13). Two iron pills were then grinded up
in a mortar and pestle, and approximately 0.300 g of the power was measured. Two Erlenmeyer
flasks were massed before and after the powder was added. The mass of the powder in the flasks
was determined by mass by difference (see Table 5: Determining the Mass of Fe²+ in Erlenmeyer
Flasks, page 14). 25 mL of distilled water and 15 mL of H2SO4 were added to each flask and
swirled to dissolve the iron pill. The initial volume of the KMnO₄ in the buret was recorded, and
it was added to the flask until the equivalence point was reached. Once the color intensity
matched the color standard for at least five seconds, the final volume of KMnO₄ in the buret was
recorded (see Table 6, page 10). The amount of titrant delivered was calculated by subtracting
the ending volume of the KMnO₄ in the buret from the starting volume (see Table 6:
Determining Titrant Delivered for Analysis of Iron Pill, page 14). Since the concentration of the
KMnO₄ was calculated when the KMnO₄ was standardized, it could be converted to moles by
multiplying the amount of titrant delivered by its concentration. Stoichiometry was then used to
determine the moles of Fe²+, and this was converted to grams of Fe²+ by using its molar mass
(5Fe²+ + 8H+ + MnO₄- ⟶5Fe³+ + Mn²+ + 4H₂O) (see Table 7: Determining the Mass of Fe²+ in
Sample, page 14). The percent of Fe²+ in the sample was found by dividing the calculated mass
of Fe²+, by the mass of the iron that was in the Erlenmeyer flask. This was multiplied by the
average mass of one iron pill to get the amount of Fe²+ in the iron pill. Since the value was in
grams and the CareOne label has the amount of Fe²+ in miligrams, the calculated value was
Bassani 7
multiplied by 1000 mg. To find the percent error, the amount of Fe²+ calculated was subtracted
from the amount of Fe²+ on the label, and divided by the amount of Fe²+ on the label. This was
then multiplied by one hundred (see Table 8: Determining Mass of Fe²+ in CareOne Iron Pills
Results
It was determined from an average of four trials, that the amount of Fe²+ in Care One Iron
Pills was 66.1 mg. On the label it states that the iron pills have 65 mg of Fe²+, which makes the
calculated value have a 7.36% error from the printed value. There was a standard deviation of
Flask Mass of Flask (g) Mass of Flask with FAS (g) Mass of FAS (g)
In Table 1 (page 7) the mass of the Erlenmeyer flasks with and without (Fe(NH₄)₂(SO₄)₂・
6H₂O) FAS are recorded. These values were used to determine the mass of FAS by using the
method of mass by difference. By using this technique, the exact mass of FAS could be used in
the titration with KMnO₄. This method ensured that all the FAS was accounted for. If any of the
FAS was spilled during the transfer from the weighing dish to the Erlenmeyer flask, this would
Bassani 8
not affect the moles of FAS in the flask. This is because the mass of FAS was calculated after it
Table 2. Volume of KMnO₄ Before and After Being Delivered To Determine [KMnO₄]
Table 2 (page 8) shows the volumes of KMnO₄ before and after the equivalence point of
the reaction was reached (5Fe²+ + 8H+ + MnO₄- ⟶5Fe³+ + Mn²+ + 4H₂O). Since KMnO₄ was the
titrant, it was important to record the initial and final volumes. Each time the buret started at 0.00
mL, and the titrant delivered was the value where the KMnO₄ ended in the buret. By determining
the amount of titrant delivered, this value could then be used to calculate the [KMnO₄].
Table 3. Moles of Fe²ᐩ , MnO₄-, and [MnO₄-] Determined After Standardization of KMnO₄
Average 0.00959 M
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Table 3 (page 8) shows the number of moles of Fe²+ and MnO₄- that were calculated,
which were used to determine the [MnO₄-]. Since the mass of FAS in the flask was determined
by mass by difference in Table 1 (page 7), this was a known value. This value was then divided
by the molar mass of FAS to get the moles of FAS. Since Fe²+ was in a one to one ratio with
FAS (Fe(NH₄)₂(SO₄)₂), the number of moles of Fe²+ equaled the moles of FAS. Using
stoichiometry, the moles of Fe²+ was able to be converted to the moles of KMnO₄. Since MnO₄-
is a one to one ratio with KMnO₄ as well, the number of moles of KMnO₄ equaled the number of
moles of MnO₄-. Then by using the volume of KMnO₄ delivered from the buret to the
Erlenmeyer flask in Table 2 (page 8), the [MnO₄-] was determined. This was done by dividing
the moles of MnO₄- by the the volume delivered in liters. The [MnO₄-] for each trial was
3.835 0.3835
Table 4 (page 9) shows the mass of ten iron pills which was divided by ten to get the
average mass of a single iron pill. This value was needed when the percent of Fe²+ in the sample
was calculated.
Flask Mass of Flask (g) Mass of Flask with Fe²+ (g) Mass of Fe²+ (g)
Mass by difference was used once again, but this time it was used to determine the
amount of Fe²+ that would be used in the titration. Table 5 (page 10) shows the masses of the two
Erlenmeyer flasks before and after the Fe²+ was added. By subtracting these two values, the mass
of Fe²+ was able to be calculated. This ensured that all the Fe²+ was accounted for, and if any was
spilt it did not impact the calculations for the concentration of Fe²+ in CareOne iron pills.
Table 6. Volume of KMnO₄ Before and After Being Delivered To Determine Mass of Fe²+
The volume of KMnO₄ was recorded in Table 6 (page 10), so the volume of the titrant
delivered could be determined. Each time the buret started at 0.00 mL, and the volume of the
titrant after the equivalence point was reached was the final volume. Since the buret started at
0.00 mL, the volume of titrant delivered was the same as the volume of KMnO₄ after the titration
was complete. By recording these values, the concentration of Fe²+ in the iron pill could be
calculated.
Table 7. Moles of MnO₄-, Fe²+, and Mass of Fe²+ Determined After Known [KMnO₄] Titrated
Bassani 11
Table 7 (page 11) shows the moles of MnO₄- and Fe²+ that were able to be used to
calculate the mass of Fe²+ in the iron pill. These values were determined by using the volume of
titrant delivered in Table 6 (page 10) and the concentration of MnO₄- that was calculated in Table
3 (page 8). By multiplying the [MnO₄-] by the volume of titrant delivered in liters, the moles of
MnO₄- were calculated. Then by using the moles of MnO₄- and stoichiometry, the moles of Fe²+
were able to be calculated. This value was then multiplied by the molar mass Fe²+ to get the mass
of Fe²+ in grams.
Table 8. Analyzation of CareOne Iron Pills Lot # 6HN1825 From Two Experiments
Table 8 (page 11) used the previously calculated values to determine the mass of Fe²+ in
CareOne iron pills. This was done by finding the percent of Fe²+ in the iron pills. To do this, the
Bassani 12
mass of Fe²+ calculated in Table 7 (page 11) was divided by the mass of the iron pill calculated
in Table 5 (page 10). This value was then multiplied by one hundred. Then the average mass of
one iron pill that was calculated in Table 4 (page 9) was multiplied by the percent of Fe²+ in the
sample. This value was the mass of Fe²+ in the iron pills, in grams. By multiplying this value by
1000 mg, the mass of Fe²+ in CareOne iron pills was determined. To compare this to the printed
value, the percent error was determined. The calculated mass of Fe²+ in mg was subtracted from
the printed value, and then divided by the printed value. This number was then multiplied by one
hundred.
Calculations
Volume of KMnO₄ in buret after titration for flask 1 - initial volume = volume of titrant
delivered
1 𝑚𝑚𝑚
Mass of FAS in flask 1 x 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑚𝑚(𝑚𝑚₄)₂(𝑚𝑚₄)₂・6𝑚₂𝑚= moles FAS
1 𝑚𝑚𝑚
0.466 g FAS x 392.16𝑚= 0.00119 mols FAS
1 𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑚𝑚(𝑚𝑚₄)₂(𝑚𝑚₄)₂・6𝑚₂𝑚
Moles of FAS x 1 = moles Fe²+
1 𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑚𝑚²+
1 𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑚𝑚(𝑚𝑚₄)₂(𝑚𝑚₄)₂・6𝑚₂𝑚
0.00119 moles FAS x = 0.00119 moles Fe²+
1 𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑚𝑚²+
1 𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚₄
Moles of Fe²+ x 5 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑚𝑚²+= moles KMnO₄ (Refer to Equation 3)
1 𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚₄
0.00119 moles Fe²+ x 5 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑚𝑚²+= 2.38 x 10-4 moles KMnO₄
1 𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚₄
Moles KMnO₄ x 1 𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑚𝑚𝑚₄− = moles MnO₄- (Refer to Equation 3)
1 𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚₄
2.38 x 10-4 moles KMnO₄ x 1 𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑚𝑚𝑚₄− = 2.38 x 10-4 moles MnO₄-
1 𝑚𝑚𝑚
Moles of MnO₄- x 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑚𝑚 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 = [MnO₄-]
1 𝑚𝑚𝑚
2.38 x 10-4 moles MnO₄- x 0.02519 𝑚 = 0.00943 M MnO₄-
𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 1 + 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 2 + 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑚𝑚
3
= average molarity
3.835 𝑚
=0.3835 g
10
Bassani 14
Volume of KMnO₄ in buret after titration for flask 1 - initial volume = volume of titrant
delivered
0.00959 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚
0.02170 L x = 2.08 x 10-4 moles KMnO₄
𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚
1 𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚₄
Moles KMnO₄ x 1 𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑚𝑚𝑚₄− = moles MnO₄- (Refer to Equation 3)
1 𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚₄
2.08 x 10-4 moles KMnO₄ x 1 𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑚𝑚𝑚₄− = 2.08 x 10-4 moles MnO₄-
5 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑚𝑚²+
Moles of MnO₄- x = moles of Fe²+ (Refer to Equation 3)
1 𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑚𝑚𝑚₄−
5 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑚𝑚²𝑚
2.08 x 10-4 moles MnO₄- x = 0.00104 moles Fe²+
1 𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑚𝑚𝑚₄−
55.85 𝑚
0.00104 moles Fe²+ x = 0.0581 g Fe²+ in sample
1 𝑚𝑚𝑚
Bassani 15
Table 8: Determining Mass of Fe²+ in CareOne Iron Pills and Percent Error from Printed Label
0.0581 𝑚
x 100 = 16.65% Fe²+ in sample
0.0349 𝑚
Percent Fe²+ in sample x average mass one of iron pill = mass of Fe²+ in one iron pill in grams
1000 𝑚𝑚
mass of Fe²+ in one iron pill in grams x = mass of Fe²+ in one iron pill in milligrams
1𝑚
1000 𝑚𝑚
0.0639 g x = 63.85 mg Fe²+ in one iron pill
1𝑚
percent error
|65 𝑚𝑚 − 63.85 𝑚𝑚 |
x 100 = 1.770% error
65 𝑚𝑚
Discussion
The results from the lab procedure fully support the hypothesis, since the amount of iron
in a CareOne pill was on average 66.1mg, ±7.3mg, a 7.36% error from the printed value on the
bottle of 65 mg.
In order to determine the exact concentration of the KMnO₄, a titration had to occur
between Fe(NH₄)₂(SO₄)₂・6H₂O (FAS) and KMnO₄ (5Fe²+ + 8H+ + MnO₄- ⟶5Fe³+ + Mn²+ +
4H₂O). This is so the KMnO₄ could be standardized, and the concentration of the MnO₄- ion
Bassani 16
could be calculated. This was important because the concentration of KMnO₄ was approximately
0.01 M, and it needed to be titrated with the iron pills to determine the Fe²+ concentration in
FeSO4. By standardizing the KMnO₄ with the FAS first, the concentration was known more
precisely in the redox titration with the FeSO4. Since MnO₄- was used to determine the moles
reacted of Fe²+, it was better to know exactly its concentration. The Fe²+ concentration was then
the unknown value, and could be calculated using the known volume delivered of KMnO₄ which
It was expected that once the equivalence point of the reaction was reached, a light purple
color would be observed in the Erlenmeyer flask. However, Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.
describes how “the equivalence point is not the same as the endpoint of a titration”
(Helmenstine). Instead, it is where the number of electrons in the oxidation half reaction equal
the number of electrons gained in the reduction half reaction. The endpoint of the reaction “refers
to the point at which an indicator changes color” which was not observed in this redox titration
(Helmenstine). The color change that occured in this reaction (5Fe²+ + 8H+ + MnO₄- ⟶5Fe³+ +
Mn²+ + 4H₂O), was because “oxidation states have different colors” (Helmenstine). It was
expected that the color change would occur faintly when the reaction reached its equivalence
point, and linger for at least five seconds. This is because the electron exchange was equal
Even though the experimentally calculated mass of Fe²+ in the iron pills was 66.1 mg,
which is 1.1 mg higher than the printed value of 65 mg, the experiment was valid. Three trials
were performed to standardize the KMnO₄ which allowed for the average [KMnO₄] to be
calculated. Since the concentration of KMnO₄ was approximately 0.01 M, the exact
concentration was calculated to be 0.00959 M, which was a more precise value. This was able to
Bassani 17
be determined once the reaction reached the equivalence point and a color change occurred for at
least five seconds. Because the titrant was not longer delivered once the equivalence point was
reached, over titration did not occur allowing for an accurate measurement to be taken. With the
exact KMnO₄ concentration being a known, a total of four trials were performed to get an
average Fe²+ mass of 66.1 mg. The standard deviation for all four trials was 7.3, and the percent
error was 7.36%. Because four trials were performed, the data was able to be compared to see if
the experimentally calculated values were consistent with the labeling on the iron pill bottle.
In order “to ensure that label values will have a high probability of being in compliance
with nutrition labeling regulations and accurately represent the nutrient content of food products,
FDA recommends the calculation of a one-sided 95% prediction interval” (Center for Food
Safety and Applied Nutrition). This means that 95% of the time the Fe²+ concentration is
calculated, it would have to be within 5% of the printed value. This means the iron pills could
contain either 2.5% higher or lower of 65 mg. 2.5% of 65 mg is 1.63, so the experimentally
calculated Fe²+ mass can be 1.63 mg higher or lower than 65 mg, and still be considered
accurate. The range of acceptable values is 63.37-66.63 mg. Since the experimentally calculated
Iron is an crucial mineral for the body, and it is important for hemoglobin found in red
blood cells. This is because hemoglobin is responsible for delivering oxygen throughout the
body. However many people are iron deficient and do not get enough of this mineral in their diet.
This causes them to take iron supplements, such as the CareOne iron pills that were analyzed in
this lab. However, even though it is “an essential mineral...iron is so toxic that its absorption
from the digestive tract is tightly controlled” (Arnarson). Atli Arnarson, Ph. D. describes how
“many serious health problems may be caused by accidental overdoses, taking high-dose
Bassani 18
supplements for a long time, or chronic iron overload disorders” (Arnarson). This is a result of
there being too high levels of free iron in the body, which acts as a “prooxidant… and may cause
damage to cells” (Arnarson). Additionally, “excess iron accumulates in internal organs, causing
potential fatal damage to the brain and liver” (Arnarson). As a result, a person should only take
iron supplements when they are prescribed to by their doctor. It is also important that people do
From analyzing CareOne iron pills, the calculated mass of Fe²+ supplied by FeSO4 was
able to be compared to the printed label of 65 mg. It was expected that the label was correct,
since
taking too much iron can be detrimental to the body. The Food and Drug Administration also
created a Small Entity Compliance Guide that was in accordance with the Small Business
Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act. This guide states the legal requirements of dietary
supplements which “require[s] label warning statements for iron-containing dietary supplements
and drug products” (Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition). Since the FDA realizes the
potential risk iron supplements can have on the body, the amount of Fe²+ in the pills should be
consist with the printed label. If the Fe²+ mass in CareOne iron pills was more or less than the
printed 65 mg, the warning labels would be insufficient. This would go against the Small
Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act that was created to protect consumers.
Additionally, the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act was created in 1967 to allow the
Federal Trade Commission and Food and Drug Administration to regulate commodities
purchased by consumers. This includes the labeling of “net contents, identity of commodity, and
name and place of business of the product’s manufacturer, packer, or distributor” (Federal Trade
Commission). The Federal Drug Administration also has the authorization for further regulation
Bassani 19
“to prevent consumer deception… with respect to ingredients, slack of filling packages, use of
Commission). With these regulations in place, the consumer is given many protections against
inaccurate labelings. However, if the labeling is incorrect, the Federal Drug Administration “may
inform the manufacturer, often in the form of a warning letter, of the violation of law and ask the
firm to correct the problem” (U.S. Food and Drug Administration). The Federal Drug
Administration can take “additional legal action to remove the misbranded products from
commerce” if the problem is not fixed (U.S. Food and Drug Administration). With such heavy
regulations for dietary supplements in place, it was expected that the CareOne company would
Conclusion
From this lab, redox titration was able to be used to determine the mass of Fe²ᐩ in
CareOne iron pills. This was first done by standardizing the KMnO₄ with Fe(NH₄)₂(SO₄)₂・6H₂O
(FAS) to determine its concentration in three trials. Since the mass of FAS in the Erlenmeyer
flask was a known value, the concentration of KMnO₄ was able to be determined. Once the
equivalence point of the reaction was reached, enough titrant was delivered to make the electron
exchange equal between the oxidation half-reaction and the reduction half-reaction. This was
represented by a color change in the Erlenmeyer flask, which lasted for at least five seconds. By
calculating the [KMnO₄] to an average of 0.00959 M, another two trials were able to be done to
determine the Fe²+ mass in iron pills (5Fe²+ + 8H+ + MnO₄- ⟶5Fe³+ + Mn²+ + 4H₂O). This was
done by another redox titration, since the mass of the iron pill in the Erlenmeyer flask was a
known value along with the [KMnO₄]. The concentration of Fe²+ in CareOne iron pills was
Bassani 20
calculated by averaging the values of two different experiments, which equaled four trials. The
Fe²ᐩ mass in CareOne iron pills was determined to be 66.1 mg, which is a 7.36% error from the
printed 65 mg. This was expected since the Federal Drug Administration regulates the labels for
dietary supplements. Also, three trials were performed to standardize the KMnO₄, and four trials
were used to calculate the concentration of Fe²+ in the iron pills, making the experiment valid.
The experimentally calculated concentration of Fe²+ also fits within the 95% prediction interval,
since the Fe²+ mass in the supplements can be anywhere from 63.37-66.63 mg. Since the
calculated Fe²+ concentration was 66.1 mg, the experimentally calculated concentration of Fe²+ in
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