This guide is intended as a first introduction to the titration theory and practice of general and Karl Fischer titration.
The basic knowledge that is needed to understand a titration is given. Different kinds of chemical reactions, indication principles and titration types for general titration are explained and manual titration is compared to automated titration. Finally, some practical tips & hints are given for general and Karl Fischer titration.
Titration is a widely applied analytical technique in various fields like chemical industry food and beverage, electronic industry etc. The titrations are classified according to the chemical reactions occurring and the indication principles used to monitor the reaction. Titration mode EP and EQP and the calculation involved play the crucial role in the overall analysis.
Expand your knowledge by learning the theory and basics of titration. Accelerate competence to define the future.
Also know about:
- Advantages of titration
- Titration theory
- Calculations for complex titrations
- Components involved in the titration
- Performance Verification of titration
- Karl Fischer Titration reactions and theory
Benefit from this booklet and increase your knowledge about titration theory.
1 Definition of Titration
Titration is an analytical technique which allows the quantitative determination of a specific substance (analyte) dissolved in a sample. It is based on a complete chemical reaction between the analyte and a reagent (titrant) of known concentration which is added to the sample:
Analyte + Reagent (Titrant) = Reaction Products
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2 Historical development
From manual to automated titration
The classical way to perform a titration is using a graduated glass cylinder (burette). With a tap the titrant addition is regulated manually. A change in color indicates the end of the titration reaction (endpoint).
Titration has experienced a strong development: manual and later motor-driven piston burette…
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3 Fields of use
Titration is a widely applied analytical technique used in various fields.
A few examples are given below:
- Food & beverages
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4 Advantages of titration
There are several reasons why titration is used in laboratories worldwide. A comparison of manual and automated titration is shown below:
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5 Titration theory
Titrations can be classified according to the chemical reactions occurring and the indication principles used to monitor the reaction.
- 5.1 Types of chemical reaction
Mainly three different kinds of chemical reactions are used in titration. The reactions are listed below with an example and some typical applications
Acid/Base reactions:
HCl + NaOH ↔ NaCl + H2O
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- 5.2 Indication principles
- 5.2.1 Manual titration
- 5.2.2 Semi or automated titration
- 5.3 Titration Mode – Endpoint / Equivalence point
- 5.3.1 Endpoint titration (EP)
- 5.3.2 Equivalence point titration (EQP)
- 5.4 Titration types
- 5.4.1 Direct titration
- 5.4.2 Blank compensated titration
- 5.4.3 Back titration
6 Titration control
A manual titration is controlled by the operator himself. The titrant addition is regulated manually and the monitoring of the reaction and indication of the endpoint are mostly done visually.
- 6.1 Manual titration
- 6.2 Automated titration
- 6.2.1 Titrant addition
- 6.2.2 Measured value acquisition
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7 Calculations
The calculation of the final result is based on the consumption of the titrant as well as the stoichiometry of the chemical reaction between analyte and titrant.
- 7.1 Stoichiometry and equivalent number
- 7.2 Result calculation
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8 Components involved in the titration
- 8.1 Titrant
The titrant is a solution of a certain reagent with known concentration which reacts with the analyte in the sample. Its nominal concentration is usually expressed in…- 8.1.1 Titrant concentration determination
- 8.2 Sensor
- 8.2.1 pH sensor and measurements (Acid/Base titrations)
- 8.2.1.1 pH Sensor and Temperature
- 8.2.1 pH sensor and measurements (Acid/Base titrations)
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9 Performance Verification of titration
Performance verification is achieved by a standard titration of a reference sample with a known content. Hereby the entire titration procedure including.
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10 Karl Fischer Titration
The Karl Fischer method for water content determination is one of the most frequently used titration methods.
The titration is based on the reaction described by R. W. Bunsen:
I2 + SO2 + 2 H2O → 2 HI + H2SO4
Karl Fischer, a German petro-chemist, discovered that the reaction…
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- 10.1 Titration principle
- 10.2 Endpoint indication of a Karl Fischer titraton
- 10.3 Prerequisites for voulometric Karl Fischer titration
- 10.4 Drift
- 10.5 Volumetric Karl Fischer reagents
- 10.5.1 One-component KF reagent
- 10.5.2 Two-component KF reagent
- 10.6 Concentration determination
- 10.7 Sample handling
- 10.7.1 Solid samples
- 10.7.2 Liquid samples
- 10.7.3 Solubility of sample
- 10.8 Execution of a volumetric Karl Fischer titration
- 10.9 Interferences of Karl Fischer titration
- 10.9.1 Influence of pH
- 10.9.2 Side reactions