Qualitative Analysis of Oxalate Ion

Take a small quantity of salt (0.1 g) in a test tube. Add dil H₂SO₄ and a drop of KMnO₄ solution. Wamr the test tube. Colour of KMnO₄ indicates the presence of C₂O₄^2–.

KMnO₄^– + 8H⁺ + 5e^– → Mn²⁺ + 4H₂O

C₂O₄^2– → 2CO₂ + 2e^–

2MnO₄^– + 16H⁺ → 5C₂O₄^2– + 10CO₂ + 2Mn²⁺ + 8H₂O