Preparation of Stable Sodium

Thiosulfate Solutions
JARIES L. KASSNER AND ESTHER E. K.ISSSER
University of Alabama, University, M a .

GREAT many investigations (1-8, 10, 11) of the preservation of sodium thiosulfate solutions have been made.
Stable solutions of sodium thiosulfate are generally prepared (3) b y dissolving sterile sodium thiosulfate crystals in
freshly boiled and cooled distilled water. Many solutions
prepared b y this procedure maintain a constant titer over a
long period of time, while other solutions prepared in exactly
the same way decompose. Since sulfur-eating bacteria,
Thiobanllus thioparus, are present in the air, the stopper may
become contaminated before the bottle is closed or later when
the bottle is opened. As a result, not all solutions prepared
by using freshly boiled water are sterile.
The present investigation was started in a n effort to find
a better method for preparing stable solutions of sodium thiosulfate. It seemed logical to assume that some poison could
be found t h a t would prevent the growth of the sulfur-eating

OF
TABLE
I. EFFECT

CHClP
Ml./l.

CHLOROFORM ON

NORNALITT

Dec., 1936 h l a y , 1937 luov , 1938 Nov., 1939 h l a r . , 1940

,\T

.v

.v

0.1054
0.1055
0,1057
0,1056
0.07
0.0963
0,0963
0.0963
0.30
0.0963
0.0852
0.0852
0.0852
0.15
0.0852
a N o more chloroform was added after t h e first day.

0.1054
0.0963
0.0852

The data for the more concentrated d u t i o n s are summarized in Table I.

The solutions were not protected from the light but were
not exposed to the direct rays of the sun.
Unfortunately, the first dilute solutions (0.05 to 0.006 N)
mere prepared and stored in clear glass, glass-stoppered bottles. These solutions maintained their titer to within less
than 0.3 per cent from December, 1937, to May, 1938, but their
normality had decreased so much by Sovember, 1938, that
they were discarded and a new series was started. This time
3 liters of each solution were prepared and divided into three
portions. Series A contained only water plus the sodium
thiosulfate and was stored in ordinary glass, rubber-stoppered
bottles. A white precipitate formed in each bottle within 6
months. Tests showed that the normality had decreased.
T o each portion of series B and C 0.4 ml. of chloroform per
liter was added. Series B was stored in clear glass, rubberstoppered bottles and series C was stored in dark brown (1,4)
rubber-stoppered bottles. The data are summarized in
Table 11.
Chloroform has been used as a bactericide in the preservation of sodium thiosulfate solutions in this laboratory for the
past 5 years.
TABLE
Series

bacteria and would not interfere with the subsequent use of

the solution. -4preliminary investigation showed that chloroform offered the most promise of preventing the growth of
these bacteria. It is a good germicide, practically insoluble in
water, and soluble in rubber. K h e n a few drops are added
to a solution in a rubber-stoppered bottle, the chloroform diffuses u p through the solution and dissolves in the stopper.
It later diffuses out of the stopper into the air space above the
solution, and keeps the solution sterile over a long period of
time, even though the bottle is opened frequently.
To see whether the addition of chloroform to a solution affected
its titer, an approximately 0.05 N solution of sodium thiosulfate,
containing 3 drops of chloroform per liter, was prepared and
standardized. More chloroform was then added in 0.1-ml. por-

tions and the solution was restandardized until 0.5 ml. of chloroform had been added to 1 liter. The addition of 0.5 ml. of chloroform to 1 liter (the total time that elapsed during this addition
was 3 days) of sodium thiosulfate did not affect the fourth significant figure in the normality of the solution.
In all this work the solutions were standardized with a solution
of potassium iodate (9) of approximately the same normality as
the thiosulfate solution. The first standardization was made
each time within less than 2 hours after the solution was prepared.
Bureau of Standards potassium iodate, calibrated weights, and
calibrated volumetric apparatus were used throughout this investigation.
The solutions were prepared from ordinary distilled water and
had a pH of 6.2 to 6.8. If the pH of the distilled water is unknown, it is advisable to add about 0.01 gram of sodium carbonate
per liter. The pH of distilled water can be changed from 5.2 to
9.3 by adding 0.01 gram of sodium carbonate per liter. The
sodium thiosulfate used in this work was not recrystallized or
sterilized in any way before use. The solutions were stored in
clear glass, rubber-stoppered bottles. The rubber stoppers were
cleaned by boiling in dilute caustic solution. Further sterilization is not necessary because the chloroform dissolves in the
stoppers.

11. EFFECTOF CHLOROFORM^

Nov., 1938

May, 1939

Nov., 1939
AV

Mar., 1940
N

0.05252
0.02643
0.01405
0.006695

0.05232
0.02875
0.01378
0.006663

0.05207
0.02556
0.01364
0.006640

0.05262

0,05252

0,02646
0.01406
0.006778

0.05251
0.02647
0.01406
0.006778
0.006776
(1 N o more chloroform wasi added in series B
first prepared.
0.02646
0.01406

0 .05250
0.02645

0.05251
0.02646
0.01405
0.006772
0.006774
and C after t h e solutions were
0.01404

Summary
Small amounts of chloroform prevent the decomposition
of sodium thiosulfate stored in rubber-stoppered bottles.
Solutions of approximately 0.05 N or less should be stored
in brown glass, rubber-stoppered bottles.
Sterile sodium thiosulfate solutions that have a p H of 6.2 or
more maintain their titer over a long period of time.
Literature Cited
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