Precipitimetry

• Also known as Precipitation method and

Saturation method
• A sample in solution is made to react with a
Precipitimetry standard solution of precipitating reagent until
the endpoint is reached
• Used in the analysis of compounds of silver,
mercury, halides and theophylline containing
compounds
 • The end point reaction of a reaction in analysis
by precipitation method are determined in the
following ways
Determination • Cessation of precipitation or the appearance
of Endpoint of a turbidity
• Use of internal indicators
• Instrumental methods
(Potentiometric/Amperometric)
Different Methods
 Involves formation of a colored
secondary precipitate
An argentometric method of
analysis
Must be carried out at pH 7-10
Mohr
Use of K2CrO4 (Potassium Chromate)
and standard Silver Nitrate Solution
Indicator reaction = 2 Ag+2 + CrO4-2
-> Ag2CrO4 (red ppt)
 Involves formation of a colored
adsoption product

Adsorption indicators
Valen’s Fluororescein, DCF, TEE, Eosin Y

Ag+ + Fluororesceinate ions

(yellow green) -> Ag
Fluororesceinate (intense red)
 • Residual method of analysis, involves formation
of a colored complex ion
• Use of ferric alum as indicator
• Also known as the Direct thiocyanate method
Volhard’s for Mercury, Silver compounds.
• Indicator reaction:
Fe+3 + SCN- -> Fe(SCN)2+2 (flesh-colored
complex)
 Standard Silver Nitrate –
Emplyed as primary
standard
Standard
Solutions
Standard Thiocyanate –
Hygroscopic, standardized
by using standard silver
nitrate.
Indicators
• Ferric Ammonium Sulfate TS
• Used in both direct and residual titrations employing standard ammonium
thiocyanate solution
• The thiocyanate reacts with the silver or mercuric ions present to form a
WHITE PRECIPITATE of silver or mercury but as soon as all the silver or
mercury has precipitated, the thiocyanate ion reacts with Ferric Ammonium
sulfate to form red ferric thiocyanate
• END POINT – APPEARANCE OF RED COLOR
 Potassium • It forms a red precipitate of silver chromate
which is seen against the background of white
Chromate TS silver chloride.
Adsorption indicators
• Dichlorofluorescein (DCF)
• Eosin Y TS
• Tetrabromophenolphthalein ethyl ester

Used in the analysis of halides by direct titration with silver nitrate solution. The
end point of the titration is indicated when the color of the silver halide changes
abruptly because of the adsorbed indicator anions.