This document contains detailed descriptions of the sections required for a well written lab report. REMEMBER: Your report WILL be typed.
This section is meant to be a summary of the work that was done. It should include information about the method used and the results obtained and any definite conclusions that can be drawn. Since it is a summary of work already done, it should be short (one paragraph) and ideally, written after you have completed the body of the lab report.

The abstract tells the reader WHAT YOU DID:
Several platinum complexes of pharmacological interest have been synthesized. Cis-Pt(NH
3
)
2
Cl
2 and Trans-Pt(NH
3
)
2
Cl
2
were synthesized from platinum metal according to the method of
Kauffman and Cowan [(Inorg. Syn. 7: 239 (1963)], with modifications. In addition, dichlorodiethylenediammineplatinum (II) was synthesized according to the method of Johnson
[(Inorg. Syn. 8 242 (1966)], with modifications.
In the above example, results are not stated outright, but the general trends in the results are noted. If you choose to quote actual numbers in your abstract, do not forget stats!
Also, do not include tables in your abstract!

The abstract tells the reader WHY YOU DID IT:
The goal of this series of experiments was to synthesis a variety of useful platinum complexes , of high purity and in good yield. Both cis and trans dichlorodiammineplatinum (II) were obtained in excellent yield (>80%). Both compounds were determined to contain 11.43 and 11.29% ammonia by mass, respectively,as determined by the Kjeldahl nitrogen test, in excellent agreement with the literature values ( CRC Handbook of Chemistry, 63 rd ed.
) of 11.33%; showing a deviation of < 0.88%)… While yields of dichlorodiethylenediammineplatinum (II) were disappointingly low (24%), the compound was obtained in high purity. It was determined to contain 29.44 +/- 0.05% chloride by mass, which represents a percent error of 0.35%. from the literature value of 29.54% (Merck Index, 12 th ed.)
If you find it necessary to quote references in an abstract, you should include them in the text (as above) instead of footnoting them.

This section introduces one to the topic of interest. You should assume that the audience is another student - someone who is familiar with chemistry, but not necessarily the experiment you are describing. It should contain:
1.
The objective or purpose of the experiment. [ hint : review your summary table].
2.
Background material necessary to understand experiment.
[ hint :oxidation/reduction, ligands, coordination complexes]
3.
How the experiment fits in with what has been done before (i.e. in previous labs or cited literature). [ hint : refer to adapted article(s) references, titrations,
AA,UV/VIS]
4.
The technique you plan to use to do your experiment (in about a paragraph) and briefly, how the technique works. [ hint : oxidation process, ammonia analysis and
Cobalt analysis]
In a synthetic project , you should discuss the chemistry you have performed in detail and in sequential order: This includes:
5.
Balanced equations, with descriptions (see below) of the chemistry involved.
{Equations should be numbered & grouped by complex}
Type of reaction identified: i.
Acid/base. ID: acid & base where appropriate. ii.
Redox. What is oxidized & what is reduced? What’s the oxidizing
agent? Reducing agent? How many e- are transferred? iii.
Ligand exchange: which ligand(s) are being exchanged for other ligands?
K
2
PtCL
4
+2 NH
2
-CH
2
-CH
2
-NH
2
 2KCl + Pt(en)Cl
2
In this reaction, two Cl ligands on Pt(II) will be exchanged for the ammine nitrogens of the bidentate ligand ethylene diamine...(See structure Figure I)
Figures are not required in this section, but oftentimes, "a picture is worth a thousand words". The main goal is to be clear and concise in your writing, and figures can often help you achieve that goal. Be sure you direct your reader to the appropriate figure .
In a synthetic project , you should discuss the ANALYTICAL chemistry you have performed to confirm the nature of your products, in detail.
Cis-Pt(NH
3
)
2
Cl
2
and Trans-Pt(NH
3
)
2
Cl
2
were analysed for total % ammonia,and total % platinumt. In addtion, spectra of each complex from 350 nm to 700 nm were obtained . Ammonia analysis involved digestion of the product with 10 M NaOH followed by ….

This section explains in detail what you actually did in the lab. For the most part, you will be following the handouts explicitly and can simply reference them, but if there were
any deviations they should be noted here. Especially any mistakes you may have made
(i.e. weighing, spilling, adding HCl before NH
3
instead of vise versa, over titrating, etc.).
You may also include drawings of exotic equipment in this section (or you can reference the handouts). How the noted mistakes affected your results will be addressed in your
“ Discussion Section”.
Reaction IV:
K
2
PtCl
4
+ 2 NH
3
 2KCl + Pt(NH
3
)
2
Cl
2
1.1210 g of bright red needle-shaped crystals of potassium tetrachloroplatinum (II), previously synthesized in step one, were placed in a test tube. 1 mL of 10% NaHCO
3
was then added by mistake. On the advise of the TA, 2 mL of concentrated ammonia
(Aldrich Chemical Company) was added rather than the 1 mL called for in the handout.
The solution turned clear puce colored. The mixture was then heated for 5 hours in a boiling water bath. During the first hour it turned bright chartreuse green. When the solution was cooled on ice, green crystals formed after 20 minutes … 0.5419 g of product was obtained [See Table II, Reagents and Products]
Reaction MXVI:
Pt(NH
3
)
2
Cl
2
+ xs NaOH  PtO
2
+ 2 NH
3
NH
3
+ H +  NH
4+
0.2250 g of flat square green diamminedichloroplatinum (IV), previously synthesized in step 4, were placed in a 200 mm test tube. 15 mL of 10M NaOH was then added, and the apparatus connected as sketched in Figure 19. The solution was heated to dryness, turning bright blue solid as heating progressed. NH
3
was collected in 50.00 mL of standardized 0.5000 M HNO
3
and…. [See Table VI, Results of Ammonia Analysis]

This section is made up of two parts: Data & Results Table(s), graphing , analysis and
UV/VIS spectra. You should use Microsoft Excel for your data analysis. ALL
TABULATED AND GRAPHICAL DATA SHOULD BE PRESENTED BY
SPECIFIC COMPLEX!
You have told the reader in your Introduction WHAT you planned to do in this experiment. In the Materials and Methods you told the reader HOW you did it. In the
Results section, tell the reader what HAPPENED, accompanied by tables of data, results and graphs.
Reaction IV:
K
2
PtCl
4
+ 2 NH
3
 2KCl + Pt(NH
3
)
2
Cl
2
1.1210 g of bright red needle-shaped crystals of potassium tetrachloroplatinum (II), yielded 0.5419 g of bright green crystalline Diamminedichloroplatinum (IV) Ammonia was the limiting reagents, and our % yield was…[See Table II, Reagents and Products].
On analysis, we determined that this complex had absorbtion maxima of 510 nm and 623 nm, which correlated well with commercially obtained standards [See Table
XXV, Visible Spectra of Reactants and Products].
Ammonia analysis resulted in 12.3% NH
3
+/- 9.65%, which correlated well with a theoretical value of … standards [See Table VI, Results of Ammonia Analysis ]
Data, Graphs and Tables - Tips
1.
Give each table or graph a descriptive title (so the reader knows immediately what is being shown) and a number (so you can refer to it when needed). Use proper units and significant figures
2.
Graphs: Label each axis properly. Include proper units.
Best fit line, linear regression formula and R value should be shown.

This section is where you interpret your final results, and deviations from known values.
What one looks for in grading this section is your reasoning ability. Suggestions for improving the experiment are also good to include.
Briefly Recap The Overall Experiment:
Make note of the pertinent chemistry involved ( hint : oxidation state changes, coordination complexes and the charge on these complexes, analysis of compounds and what it means; %NH
3
, %Co expected trend (absorbance), UV/VIS spectra, pertinent observations such as color).
Restate Final Results: Actual values and stats. . [remember to include a summary table for each complex synthesized].
Discussion of Errors:
Do not merely list the errors that may have occurred.
If you bring up a source of error, think through how this would affect your results [ hint : think about your calculations and stats]. Questions to ponder when writing about sources of error:
1.
Would an error of this type cause the value to increase or decrease or vary randomly?
2.
Is this error likely to cause large or small deviations in your results?
3.
Think about your stats and do not forget about the r-value on your linear regression line (AA analysis).
Yields of dichlorodiethylenediammine Platinum (II) greater than 24% were unobtainable, despite 3 repeated attempts. The published procedure suggested using 10 mL of 8 M HCl, but only 6 M HCl was available. Possibly a higher [HCl] would improve the yields by driving the equilibrium further in the direction of product……….
Dichloroethylenediamine Platinum(II) complex is reported to be bright yellow according to the literature (Johnson, Inorg Syn. 8:242, 1966), but the product obtained in this experiment was orange. This could be due to incomplete reaction of the red potassium tetrachloro Platinum (II) starting material. This may also account for the very low value obtained for % NH
3
….
The % chloride results for the first synthesis attempt of Dichloroethylenediamine
Platinum(II) complex were 10% higher than actual values. If all the KCl were not purified away from the complex, this would result in a higher chloride content.

This section should be similar to the Abstract, but shorter . It should evaluate the method used and its effectiveness in meeting the objective of the experiment.
Several platinum complexes of pharmacological interest were synthesized successfully. Cis-
Pt(NH
3
)
2
Cl
2
and trans- Cis-Pt(NH
3
)
2
Cl
2
were synthesized from platinum metal according to the method of Kauffman and Cowan [(Inorg. Syn. 7: 239 (1963)], with modifications. In addition, dichlorodiethylenediammineplatinum (II) was synthesized according to the method of Johnson
[(Inorg. Syn. 8:242 (1966)], with modifications. Yields of Cis-Pt(NH
3
)
2
Cl
2
and trans- Cis-
Pt(NH
3
)
2
Cl
2 were > 80%…
Show sample calculations for only one of your complexes.
Calculations shown should be:
* Limiting Reagent
 
 
Theoretical Yield
 
Actual yield & Absolute Error
 
% NH
3
(all steps) & Absolute Error
% Cobalt (linear regression line and actual yield calculation) & Absolute Error