Introduction

Titration is a method of analysis involving a gradual addition of a known

concentration solution to a second solution. The solution of a known concentration
used in a titration is called the titrant. The second solution of an unknown
concentration is known as the analyte. Titrant is added to the analyte until the
reaction reaches neutralization, which is often indicated by a color change.
In this lab module we produced three types of titration. The first was a strong acid
and strong base titration, in which the end result reaches a neutralization point of
pH 7. The second titration performed was a redox or reduction-oxidation titration.
This is where the reducing agent is allowed to react with an oxidizing agent until the
end point is reached. The last titration performed was a complexometric titration in
which metal ions are titrated with a chelating agent or ligand, forming a complex 1.
The end point is reached when all the cations have reacted 1.
Our hypothesis was that when the end point or equivalence point is reach the moles
of titrant are equal or closely equal to the moles of analyte. The purpose of this lab
was to use titration as an important analytical method to determine unknown
concentrations of chemicals as well as understand the different types of titrations
that occur and how they differ. In fact, the medical field uses different titrations on a
daily bases in order to determine the concentration of chemicals in solutions such
as in blood or urine2.
Methods

In Titration I, two strong acids (hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid) are
reacting with a strong base, potassium hydroxide until they reach their
equivalence point.
o The strong acid is the titrant that is slowly added by a buret to the
analyte or potassium hydroxide in a beaker.
o A pH probe is used to actively record the pH of the analyte solution as
the titrant is added. The volume of titrant added is measured by a drop
counter.
o Once the pH probe indicated a pH of 2.0 has been reached the titration
is stopped. Then the procedure is repeated for the other acid
remaining.
In Titration II, vitamin C is oxidized and reduces I 2 until the end point is
reached.
o A vitamin C tablet is first made into an analyte solution using distilled
water, potassium iodide, hydrochloric acid, and a starch indicator. The
indicator will allow the solution to change colors when the end point is
reached.
o The titrant, potassium iodate is added to the buret and then slowly
added into the analyte solution while the drop counter measured the
volume of titrant added.
o The titrant is added until the starch indicator changes colors, at which
the end point of the solution is then reached.
 In Titration III, calcium ions are reacted with two different ligands which
chelate the calcium ions until the end point is reached.
o An analyte solution containing calcium ions in the form of whole milk
and the chelating agent EBT was used.
o The titrant, EDTA also a chelating agent is added to the buret and then
slowly titrated into the analyte solution while the drop counter
measured the volume of titrant added.
o Once the analyte solution changed from a light purple to light blue, the
titration was stopped as this indicated that the end point had been
reached.

References

1. Ringbom, A., Pensar, G. and Wnninen, E. (1958). A complexometric

titration method for determining calcium in the presence of magnesium.
Analytica Chimica Acta, 19, pp.525-531.
2. Kennedy, L., Herman W., Poul Strange, Anthony Harris. Impact of Active
Versus Usual Algorithmic Titration of Basal Insulin and Point-of-Care Versus
Laboratory Measurement of HbA1c on Glycemic Control in Patients With
Type 2 Diabetes. The Glycemic Optimization with Algorithms and Labs at
Point of Care (GOAL A1C) trial. Diabetes Care. (2006)