Synthesis of Tetramethylammonium Triiodide

Abstract

We synthesis Tetramethylammonium iodide and Iodine as the reactants and the product is
Tetramethylammonium triiodide. For result, the amount of reactant should be equal to the
amount of product which come from calculation. In the experiment, the mass of product which is
Tetramethylammonium triiodide is not equal to the mass of reactant because we did error in
some part, so the result do not come up in the same number of mass. In addition, the total mass
of product is less than prospective processes. We use 0.52g of Tetramethylammonium iodide
and 0.6 of Iodine. Finally, we got 0.8 g of Tetramethylammonium triiodide which is less than
prospective processes 74.8% percent yield.

Objective

To synthesis Tetramethylammonium Triiodide by using chemical reaction theory. Also to

perform crystallization in order to create the product. Moreover, our purpose is to determine the
limiting reagent and percent yield by calculation from the chemical equation.

Introduction

In this experiment, we combined tetramethylammonium iodide with iodide. Then using

the crystallization process to form tetramethylammonium triiodide as a product. Crystallization is
a process which liquid substance evaporate from a mixture to form a crystals. This process
could be done by heat the substances then cool them down to form a crystals.
For the calculation, the chemical equation of Tetramethylammonium Triiodide
(CH3)4N+I−+I2 (reactant) and (CH3)4N+I3− (Product). According to Wikihow(2017), the reactant are
given on the left-hand side and the product are on the right-hand side. In this equation, we have
to make sure that the equation is balanced by check that each element are equal in both
side(reactant and product). If it’s not equal, placing an appropriate coefficient in front of the
formula. After that find percent yield by using limiting reagent; the reactant that has the lowest
gram so that we could find the Theoretical yield. Then use the actual yield and theoretical yield
to find percent yield.
Material
1. 0.52 g of Tetramethylammonium iodide
2. 0.6 g of Iodine
3. 12 mL of 95% Ethanol
4. Beaker
5. Stirring rod
6. Hot plate
7. Ice bath
8. Vacuum filtration

Method
1. Add 0.5 g of Tetramethylammonium iodide to 50 mL beaker and use the stirring rod to
break the clumps of Me4N+I-.
2. Add 0.6 g of iodine and 12 mL of 95% ethanol to the same beaker.
3. Then gently heat the beaker on a hot plate with stirring on a low temperature for about
10 minutes until the Tetramethylammonium iodide is dissolved.
4. Remove the beaker from the heat and allow it to cool down undisturbed to let the crystal
form.
5. At the room temperature, put the beaker in an ice bath for roughly 10 minutes if it’s
necessary. In the meanwhile, prepare for filtration and washing of compounds
procedure.
6. Use vacuum filtration to collect the crystal and wash them twice with 2’7 mL of hexanes.
7. Air-dry the product and weigh
8. Turn in the products, in a capped container, and labeled the name of compounds, the
date, and the name of members.
Result from the experiment

Reactant

Tetramethylammonium iodide 0.52 g

Iodine 0.6 g

Product

Tetramethylammonium triiodide 0.8 g

Product Appearance

Shape Solid crystal

Mountain shape (there is a little bulgy at the middle of the substance)

Color Purple and little greenish color

Results from calculation

Molar Mass

Tetramethylammonium iodide 200.97 g/mol

Iodine 253.8 g/mol

Tetramethylammonium triiodide 201.07 g/mol

Yield

Theoretical yield 1.07 g

Actual yield 0.8 g

Percent yield 74.8%

Discussion

Our objective is to find out the mass of final product by doing experiment to check that if
it relate to the calculation or not. The reactants of this experiment is Tetramethylammonium
iodide and iodine ((CH3)4 N+ I- ). We used tetramethylammonium and iodine and it weight 0.52
and 0.6 followed by the order. In this lab, the percentage yields is 74.8% meaning some of the
products had been lost during the process which is iodine.
According to stoichiometry, The limiting reagent(Iodine) is used and consumed at the first of the
reaction when chemical reaction is complete.
There are still some errors during the experiment whether weight or the air that totally
affect on balance for changing measure. Furthermore, when we stir mixture, there might be
sometime that we stir to hard and cause the mixture to soak up a little bit. The way to get rid of
the simple errors is to continue practicing thus, we will get more experience and there will be no
mistake.

Calculation
(CH3)4 N+ I- +I2 = (CH3)4N+I3-

Tetramethylammonium iodide molar mass ((CH3)4 N+ I- )

= 0.52g(CH3)4 N+ I- x (1 mol (CH3)4 N+ I- / 4(12.01)+ 12(1.01)+1(14.01)+1(126.90)g (CH3)4 N+ I-
) x (1 mol (CH3)4N+I3- / 1 mol (CH3)4 N+ I- ) x 4(12.01)+12(1.01)+1(14.01)+3(126.90) g
(CH3)4N+I3- / 1 mol (CH3)4N+I3-
=1.17 g (CH3)4N+I3-

Iodine’s molar mass (I2)

= 0.6 g I2 x 1 mol I2 / 2(127) g I2 X 1 mol (CH3)4N+I3- / 1 mol I2 x
4(12.01)+12(1.01)+1(14.01)+3(126.90) g (CH3)4N+I3- / 1 mol I2
= 1.07 g (CH3)4N+I3-

So limiting reagent is 1.07 g of (CH3)4N+I3-

Actual yield = 0.8 g

Theoretical yield = 1.07 g
Percent yield = 0.8g / 1.07 x 100 = 74.8%

Conclusion
 From this experiment, we combined Tetramethyl ammonium iodine 0.52g with 0.6 g of
Iodine. After the combination, we have got Tetramethylammonium triiodide 0.8 as a product.
After the calculation we have got 74.8% as a percent yield.

Reference

How to Balance Chemical Equations

Wikihow (2017), How to Balance Chemical Equations. Retrieved from
https://www.wikihow.com/Balance-Chemical-Equations.

Member:
Apisada Chatchonbut 5961098
Chayaporn Laowattanachai 5961016
Wipawee Suttipun 5961080
Chotika Kittithitikul 5961092
Jidapa Wachiradejkul 5961151
Witthawin Sinprasert 5961
1106