Conductometric Titrations

Submitted to:
• Madam Arjumand
• Madam Aashi
Subject:
Applied chemistry lab - II

Date: 8 June 2009

Department of Chemical Engineering

University of Engineering and Technology Lahore
Submitted by:

1. Muhammad Usman (08 - Chem-02-B)

2. T A H IR Mehmood (08 - Chem-16-B)

3. SAQIB R A O U F (08 - Chem-26-B)

4. Sameullah (08 - Chem-30-B)

5. Allah Ditta Khizar (0 8- Chem-42- B)

6. Faraz Naeem (08 -Chem-118-B)

7. Syed M. Hanan (0 8- Chem-84- B)

8. LIAQUAT ALI (08- Chem - 22-B)

9. S H O A Ib H A Meed (08- Chem-122-B)

10. Ronald Ojiambo (08- Chem-146-B)

Contents
Submitted by:............................................................................................................2
History.....................................................................................................................6
Types of titrations...................................................................................................7
• Acid-base titrations...........................................................................................7
• Redox titrations................................................................................................7
• Complexometric titrations................................................................................7
1. PH indicator...................................................................................................8
2. Redox indicators............................................................................................8
4. PH meter.......................................................................................................8
5. Conductance:................................................................................................8
Explanation:.........................................................................................................9
6. Colour change:..............................................................................................9
7. Precipitation:.................................................................................................9
8. Thermometric titrimetry:...............................................................................9
9. Spectroscopy:................................................................................................9
10. Amperometry...........................................................................................10
Experiment:.............................................................................................................10
Conductance:........................................................................................................10
CONDUCTOMETRIC TITRATION :.............................................................................................11

Theory:.....................................................................................................................11
GRAPHICAL REPRESENTATION :.............................................................................................14

ALTERNATIVE METHODS OF DETERMINING THE ACID STRENGTH.......................................................16

1. By volumetric analysis:...................................................................................16
Procedure:............................................................................................................16
Calculations:.........................................................................................................16
2. By pH method:................................................................................................17
Works Cited..............................................................................................................18
Error: Reference source not found
Summary:
Titration is the method in which we determine the strength of an unknown
solution by reacting it with a solution of known strength.

In the late 18th century French chemists were using this technique.

Francois Antoine Henri Descroizilles invented the 1st burette. The other important names in
the history of titration are Karl Friedrich Mohr, Joseph Louis Gay-Lussac.

Titrations are of many types… some of the important types are…

Acid base titration, redox titration, Complexometric titration etc

There are many methods of determining the end point of a titration. A method is
Conductometric method. In this method we determine the point where reaction is completed
with the help of a conductometer that measures the changes in conductance of solution
produced by the ions in the solution. Conductometer works on the principle of ohm’s law. If
we are to find the strength of a acid then we take that acid into a beaker and dip the electrode of
conductometer into the acid solution. This measures the conductance of acid. Now, we titrate
this acid solution against the base of known molarity, the conductance starts decreasing. This is
due to the binding of H+ ions of acid with the OH- of Base until a point is reached where
conductance is minimum. When we move forward the conductance starts increasing again. This
is now due to the free ions of Base present in solution.

This point at which this transition occurs is called Equivalence point. At Equivalence point we
measure the volume of base used to neutralize the acid ions completely in the solution. Putting
these values in formula we can get the strength of acid.

Alternate method to calculate the strength of acid is the simple volumetric analysis. Acid base
are reacted in the presence of a pH indicator that changes its color at the completion of reaction.
Again we can get the strength of acid when we know the Molarity of Base and the Volume of
Base used.

Another alternate method of doing this thing is the pH method. We measure the pH of acid so
can calculate the concentration of positive and negative ions. At a specific temperature we
already know the dissociation constant of an acid. So we can calculate the strength of acid very
easily.
They ask thee about the (final) Hour― when will be its appointed time? Say: "The

knowledge thereof is with my Lord (alone): none but He can reveal as to when it will

occur. Heavy were its burden through the heavens and the earth. Only, all of a

sudden will it come to you. They ask thee as if thou wert eager in search thereof:

Say: "The knowledge thereof is

with Allah (alone), but most

men know not." (Al-Araf

[7:187])
History
The word "titration" comes from the Latin word “titulus”, meaning inscription or title.
The French word titre, also from this origin, means rank.
Titration, by definition, is the determination of rank or concentration of a solution with
respect to water with a pH of 7 (which is the pH of pure H2O under standard conditions).
The origins of volumetric analysis are in late-18th-century French chemistry.

1st burette:
Francois Antoine Henri Descroizilles developed the first burette (which looked more like a
graduated cylinder) in 1791.

Joseph Louis Gay-Lussac

Developed an improved version of the burette that included a side arm,
and coined the terms "pipette" and "burette" in an 1824 paper on the
standardization of indigo solutions
Karl Friedrich Mohr, A major breakthrough in the methodology and popularization
of volumetric analysis was due to Karl Friedrich Mohr, who redesigned the burette by placing a
clamp and a tip at the bottom, and wrote the first textbook on the topic1

Types of titrations
Titrations can be classified by the type of reaction. Different types of titration reaction include:
• Acid-base titrations are based on the neutralization reaction between
the analyte and an acidic or basic titrant. These most commonly use a pH
indicator, a pH meter, or a conductance meter to determine the endpoint.
• Redox titrations are based on an oxidation-reduction reaction between
the analyte and titrant. These most commonly use a potentiometer or a
redox indicator to determine the endpoint.
• Complexometric titrations are based on the formation of a complex
between the analyte and the titrant. The chelating agent EDTA is very
commonly used to titrate metal ions in solution.

1 Lehrbuch der chemisch-analytischen Titrirmethode (Textbook of analytical-chemical titration

methods), published in 1855
Measuring the Endpoint of A
Titration
Different methods to determine the endpoint include:
1. PH indicator: This is a substance that changes color in response to a chemical change.

Example:
An acid-base indicator (e.g., phenolphthalein) changes color depending on the pH.
2. Redox indicators A drop of indicator solution is added to the titration at the start;
when the color changes the endpoint has been reached.

3. . Potentiometer:
This is an instrument that measures the electrode potential of the solution.
Example:
These are used for titrations based on a redox reaction; the potential of the working
electrode will suddenly change as the endpoint is reached.
4. PH meter: This is a potentiometer that uses an electrode whose potential depends on
the amount of H+ ion present in the solution.

Explanation:
(This is an example of an ion-selective electrode.)
This allows the pH of the solution to be measured throughout the titration. At the endpoint,
there will be a sudden change in the measured pH.
It can be more accurate than the indicator method, and is very easily automated.
5. Conductance:
The conductivity of a solution depends on the ions that are present in it. During many
titrations, the conductivity changes significantly.
Explanation:
This changes the conductivity of the solution.) The total conductance of the solution depends
also on the other ions present in the solution (such as counter ions). Not all ions contribute
equally to the conductivity; this also depends on the mobility of each ion and on the total
concentration of ions (ionic strength). Thus, predicting the change in conductivity is harder
than measuring it.
Example:
For instance, during an acid-base titration, the H+ and OH- ions react to form neutral H2O.
6. Colour change:
In some reactions, the solution changes color without any added indicator.
Example:
This is often seen in redox titrations, for instance, when the different oxidation states of the
product and reactant produce different colours.
7. Precipitation:
If the reaction forms a solid, then a precipitate will form during the titration.
Example:
A classic example is the reaction between Ag+ and Cl- to form the very insoluble salt AgCl.
An isothermal titration calorimeter uses the heat produced or consumed by the reaction to
determine the endpoint. This is important in biochemical titrations, such as the determination
of how substrates bind to enzymes.
8. Thermometric titrimetry:
Instead, the endpoint is determined by the rate of temperature change.
9. Spectroscopy:
It can be used to measure the absorption of light by the solution during the titration, if the
spectrum of the reactant, titrant or product is known. The relative amounts of the product and
reactant can be used to determine the endpoint.
10.Amperometry
Current due to the oxidation or reduction of either the reactants or products at a working
electrode will depend on the concentration of that species in solution. The endpoint can then
be detected as a change in the current.
Example:
This method is most useful when the excess titrant can be reduced, as in the titration of
halides with Ag+. (This is handy also in that it ignores precipitates.)

Experiment:
To find the Strength of an acid using conductivity

method
Principle:
Basic principle is the changes in conductivity of a solution when no.

of ions that are the responsible for the conduction of electricity is

changing.

Explanation:
Conductance:
This is the method in which the capability of analyte to conduct an

electrical current is monitored from ohm’s law.

Ohm’s law says that…

V = IR

V = VOLTAGE

I = ELECTRIC CURRENT

R = ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE

CONDUCTOMETRIC TITRATION:
The conductance method can be employed to follow the course of a titration,
provided that there is a significant difference in conductance between the original
solution and the reagent of the product of reaction. It is not necessary to know the
cell constants, since relative values are sufficient to permit locating the equivalence
point.

The conductance produced by an ion is proportional to its concentration (at

constant temperature), but the conductance of a particular solution will in general
not vary linearly with added reagent, because of the dilution effect of water being
added along with reagent added. Hydrolysis of reactants or products, or partially
solubility of a precipitated product, will also cause departures from linearity.
The shape of the titration curve can be predicted easily. The concentration of each
ion at any point in the titration is calculated by the usual methods based on
stoichometry, equilibria, and dilution.

Theory:
The conductance of the solution mainly depends on two factors

1. Size of the ions

The conductivity of the solution is inversely proportional to the size of the
ions .if the size of the ions is increasing then the conductivity of the solution
will decrease because the mobility of the ions will decrease by increasing
the size of the ions. So the mobility of the hydrogen ions will be greater then
the sodium ions so the conductance of the solution containing sodium ions
will be less than the solution containing hydrogen ions. same principal is
used here in this experiment ,initially solution contain the hydrogen ions
when this solution is titrated against the base solution ,the base reacts with
the acid and the number of the hydrogen ions go on decreasing. Finally a
stage reaches when there is no hydrogen ion in the solution so the
conductivity decreased and remains constant. If further base is added then
the number of negative ions increases and the conductivity go on increasing.
The point at which the conductivity becomes constant is the equivalence
point. The volume of base used at equalance point is used to calculate the
molarity of acid and then the strength of acid. Consider a solution of a strong
acid, hydrochloric acid, HCl for instance, to which a solution of a strong base,
sodium hydroxide NaOH, is added. The reaction occurs. For each amount of
NaOH added equivalent amount of hydrogen ions is removed. Effectively, the
faster moving H+ cation is replaced by the slower moving Na+ ion, and the
conductivity of the titrated solution as well as the measured conductance of
the cell fall. This continues until the equivalence point is reached, at which
we have a solution of sodium chloride, NaCl. If more base is added an
increase in conductivity or conductance is observed, since more ions are
being added and the neutralization reaction no longer removes an
appreciable number any of them. Consequently, in the titration of a strong
acid with a strong base, the conductance has a minimum at the equivalence
point. This minimum can be used instead of an indicator dye to determine
the endpoint of the titration. Conductometric titration curve that is a plot of
the measured conductance or conductivity values against the number of
milliliters of NaOH solution
2. Temperature:
By increasing the temperature, the mobility of the ions in the solution will increase.
So temperature has a direct effect on conductance of solution. E.g. by increasing
the temperature the conductance will increase and vice versa.

Procedure:
1. 100 Ml of acid was taken in beaker.
2. Solution was kept at room temperature for at least 10 minutes.
3. Then Dip the electrode of conductometer in solution.
4. Measure the initial conductance of solution.
5. First reading of conductometer was noted.
6. Then this solution was titrated against the Base solution of known strength
using burette.
7. Observe the change in conductance of acid solution after every 5 ml addition
of base.
8. Plot these values to find the equivalence point.
9. Volume of base used till the equivalence point is the volume which is
required to fully neutralize the acid.

Calculations:

Acid Base
M1 V1 = M2 V2

M=molarity

v=volume used

M1=M2V2V1

Volume of Base used (mL) Conductance

0 28.2

5 28

10 27.7
 15 27.2

20 26.6

25 21.8

30 20.6

35 19.4

40 18.6

45 17.6

55 16.6

65 13.6

75 12

85 10.6

95 9

105 7.8

110 7.2

115 6.6

120 6

130 5

135 5.1

140 5.3

150 5.9

160 6.3

170 6.8

185 7.4

M1=M2V2V1

M1=0.1×130100 M

M1=0.13 M
Strength of acid = molarity x molecular wt.

=0.13 X 36.5= 4.745 g/mL

GRAPHICAL REPRESENTATION :
APPLICATIONS OF CONDUCTOMETRIC TITRATIONS

Acid-base titrations redox titrations are known to us in which commonly indicators

are used to locate the end point e.g., methyl orange, phenolphlthalene for acid

base titrations and starch solutions for iodemetry type redox process. How ever

electrical conductance measurement can be used as a tool to locate the end point.

1. This method can be used with much diluted solutions

2. This method can be used with colored or turbid solutions in which end point can
not

Be seen by eye

3. This method can be used in which there is no suitable indicator

4. has many applications, i.e. it can be used for acid base, redox, precipitation, or
complex titrations

a. Determination of sulphur dioxide in air pollution studies

b. Determination of soap in oil

c. Determination of accelerators in rubber

d. Determination of total soap in latex

e. Specific conductance of water

ALTERNATIVE METHODS O F DETERMINING THE ACID STRENGTH

1. By volumetric analysis:

Experiment:
To determine the strength of an acid

Principle:
It is an acid base titration.

Apparatus:
1. Burette 3. Pipette
2. Conical Flask 4. Burette Stand

Indicator:
1-2 drops of Phenolphthalein

Chemical reaction:
HCL+NaOH→NaCL+H2O

End point:
Light pink color

Procedure:
1. Take 10ml of acid in the conical flask with the help of a pipette.
2. Add 1-2 drops of indicator in it. Solution’s color was changed to pink.
3. Take the base of known molarity in burette.
4. Titrate the acid solution against the base of known molarity.
5. Calculate the volume of base used to neutralize the acid as we see that end
point is reached.
6. Perform following calculations to calculate the strength of acid…

Calculations:

Acid Base
M1 V1 = M2 V2

M=molarity

v=volume used
M1=M2V2V1

1. By pH method:

Experiment:
To determine the strength of an acid

Principle:
Strength of acid is calculated from the pH of solution.

Chemicals and apparatus:

1. PH meter 3. Thermometer
2. Pipette 4. Chemical
solutions (acid & base)

Procedure:
As we know that

Ka=H+A-HA

Ka has a fixed value at a given temperature that is given in literature.

H+ Can be measured by using ph apparatus

Also A- can be found as

For monobasic acid

H+=A-

So initial concentration of acid can be calculated as

HA=H+A-Ka
Works Cited
Board, p. T. (2009). Chemistry I. punjab Text Book Board.

encyclopedia Britinica. (n.d.). Retrieved 10 2009, from

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/131698/conductometry

ewing, g. w. Instrumental Methods of Chemical Analysis. Mcgrawhil publisher.

Ewing, G. W. Instrumental Methods of Chemical Analysis. McGrawhill Publisher.

J.Welehor, F. Standard Methods of Chemical Analysis. D.VAN Nostrand company,

INC.

www.wikipedia.org. (n.d.). Retrieved 10 8, 2009, from wikipedia the free

encyclopedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titration
Dedicated to…

Our Well Knowledged Teachers,

This is a little effort done by the Group members. Our members participated in this
work very eagerly.

Though, this is not perfect. It may contain many deficiencies but effort doesn’t
mean perfection.

We have done it somewhat approaching towards precision from our side but from
your side it is a minute thing…

Your knowledge will be necessary to improve this little work…

Group Members