The amount of acidified KMnO4 required for the complete oxidation of a given number of moles of a compound depends on the number of moles of electrons lost by the compound during oxidation (i.e., its n-factor). Let's evaluate the n-factor for 1 mole of each compound:
- FeSO4: Fe2+ is oxidised to Fe3+ (loss of 1e−). Sulphur is already in its highest oxidation state (+6) in SO42− and cannot be further oxidised. Total n-factor = 1.
- FeSO3: Fe2+ is oxidised to Fe3+ (loss of 1e−) and SO32− is oxidised to SO42− (loss of 2e−). Total n-factor = 1+2=3.
- FeC2O4: Fe2+ is oxidised to Fe3+ (loss of 1e−) and C2O42− is oxidised to CO2 (loss of 2e−). Total n-factor = 1+2=3.
- Fe(NO2)2: Fe2+ is oxidised to Fe3+ (loss of 1e−) and two NO2− are oxidised to two NO3− (loss of 2×2e−=4e−). Total n-factor = 1+4=5.
Since FeSO4 provides the minimum number of moles of electrons (lowest n-factor) per mole of the compound, it will require the least amount of KMnO4 for complete oxidation.