Precipitation Titrations

Group 3
Analytical Chemistry
BSEd Sci-1
Titration
– a technique used in analytical chemistry to determine the concentration of an unknown solution by
using a solution of known concentration.
Precipitation Titration
– a type of titration which involves the formation of precipitate during the titration technique.

– the titrant reacts with analyte and forms an insoluble substance called precipitate. It continues
until the last amount of analyte is consumed.
In this presentation, we will discuss about:
 Precipitation Titrations
 Types of Titration Curves
 Indicators for Argentometric Titrations - focusing on Chemical indicators
(Mohr method, Fajan’s method, Volhard method)
 Difference between the Mohr and Volhard method; and
 Blank Titration.
Precipitation Titrations
 A reaction in which the analyte and titrant form an insoluble precipitate.
 Titrations with silver nitrate are sometimes called argentometric titrations.
 The titration curve for a precipitation titration follows the change in either the analyte’s or
titrant’s concentration as a function of the volume of titrant.
Exercise
Effect Of Titrant Concentration
The Shapes of Titration Curves
A. Effect of titrant concentration on precipitation titration curves
The Shapes of Titration Curves
B. Effect of reaction completeness on precipitation titration curves.
 Indicators for Argentometric Titrations
 Chemical - Consists of a color change or, occasionally, the appearance or
disappearance of turbidity in the solution being titrated.
Requirements:
1) The color change should occur over a limited range in p-function of the reagent or the analyte.
2) The color change should take place within the steep portion of the titration curve for the analyte.

 Instrumental
1) Potentiometric - by measuring the potential between a silver electrode and a reference electrode
whose potential is constant and independent of the added reagent.

2) Amperometric - the current generated between a pair of silver microelectrodes in the solution of
the analyte is measured and plotted as a function of reagent volume.
CHEMICAL INDICATORS FOR
ARGENTOMETRIC TITRATION

1) Mohr Method: Formation of a Colored Precipitate

2) Fajans Method: Absorption Indicators
3) Volhard Method: Forming of Colored Complex
 Mohr Method
Titration reaction: Ag+ + X- AgX(s) white

Indicator reaction: (s) red

 The high chromate ion concentration imparts such an intense yellow color to the solution.
 Lower concentrations of chromate ion are generally used, and, as a consequence, excess silver nitrate is
required before precipitation begins.
 Mohr titration must be carried out at a pH of 7 to 10 because chromate ion is the conjugate base of the weak
chromic acid.
Fajans Method
 Common absorption indicators are ionic dyes.
 Absorption of the negatively charged dye onto the positively charged surface changes the
color of the dye.
 Fluorescein is a typical absorption indicator.
Fajans Method

 Before Equivalence Point:

In the early stages, the colloidal silver chloride particles are negatively charged because of
absorption of excess chloride ions.

 Beyond Equivalence Point:

The silver chloride particles strongly absorbs silver ions and thereby acquire a positive
charge.

 The net result is the appearance of the red color of silver fluoresceinate in the surface layer
of the solution surrounding the solid.
Volhard Method
 Indirect titration procedure for determining anions that precipitate with silver and is
performed in acidic solution.

 A measured excess of AgNO3 is used to precipitate than anion and then determine the
excess Ag+ by back-titration with standard potassium thiocyanate solution.

 The endpoint is detected by adding iron (II) as a ferric ammonium sulphate, which forms a
soluble red complex with the first excess titrant.
Volhard Method

 If the precipitate AgX is less soluble than AgSCN, we don’t have to remove precipitate
before titrating.

 If the precipitate AgX is more soluble than AgSCN, it will react to the titrant to give a high
and diffuse endpoint.
Blank Titration
 All steps for the analysis are performed in the absence of the sample.

 Blank determinations reveal errors due to interfering contaminants from vessels or reagents
employed in analysis.

 Blanks also allow analysts to correct titration data for the volume of reagent needed to
cause an indicator to change color at an endpoint.
 Thank You!

Members:
 Jayubo, Jharra Mae
 Lawoglawog, Rubie
 Marcos, Sheam Nizzar
 Matugas, Jhoy
 Matugas, Janara
 Matuguinas, Rener John