Solving Titration Problems: NaOH + Oxalic Acid

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The discussion revolves around the titration of NaOH with oxalic acid, where significant discrepancies in results were reported. The user obtained varying volumes of NaOH used, with some values potentially discounted due to carelessness or contamination from insoluble materials. Concerns were raised about the absence of a clear endpoint indicator, although the user clarified that phenolphthalein was used. The importance of the choice of indicator was highlighted, as different indicators can affect results. Additionally, the unconventional approach of titrating oxalic acid with NaOH was noted, suggesting that this could lead to less precise outcomes due to the nature of weak acids and bases, particularly if NaOH was contaminated with carbonates. Overall, the discussion emphasizes the need for careful technique and appropriate method selection in titration experiments to achieve reliable results.
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I am doing titration of NaOH with oxalic acid at school and none of my results are close together at all.

I got
1. 26.6 mL
2. 27 mL (although I want to discount this since I wasn't very careful with this)
3. 25.5 mL
4. 26 mL
5. 25.3 mL (For this titration I realized that there was some insoluble material at the bottom of my conical flask. Thus I wanted to discount this as well for possible risk of contamination)

Can someone explain any possible reasons for such large discrepancies? I have been very careful washed all my equipment etc. but still got bad results.
 
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Hard to say anything. At least please describe the procedure you are following.
 
It's just a simple titration. Measure 25 mL of NaOH solution (with unknown concentration) using a pipette and titrate it using 0.05M oxalic acid.
 
OK, judging from your description you didn't use any indicator to determine the end point. In such a case I am quite surprised your results are that consistent.
 
No I used phenolphthalein indicator. I thought in titration's it's kind of expected that an indicator will be used;hence didn't mention it in my previous post.
 
Different indicators will yield different results, so it is a crucial information.

Was this procedure suggested to you? Titrating oxalic acid with NaOH against phenolphthalein makes sense, but the reverse titration is a rather unorthodox idea, especially taking into account possible contamination of NaOH with carbonates. Effectively that would mean titration of a weak base with a weak acid, which never yields sharp end points.
 
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