EXPERIMENT 6A

ANALYSIS OF BLEACH AND COPPER(II) UNKNOWN

Objectives
1. To standardise the sodium thiosulphate solution.
2. To determine the percentage of NaClO in bleach sample.
3. To determine the percentage of copper in an unknown copper sample.
Introduction
When you read the label on any commercial household bleaches, you will see
that they contain 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (NaClO). In this experiment, you
will check the validity of that claim that by titrating bleach with standardised
sodium thiosulphate. The same titration technique will also be used to analyse
the copper(ii) unknown.
Bleach Analysis
The active ingredient in household bleach is hypochlorite ion (ClO -). The
chlorine in this ion has an oxidation number +1. Chlorine however is more stable
with an oxidation state of -1, thus ClO- is therefore a strong oxidising agent. The
ability of ClO- to remove electrons from coloured compound corresponds to its
effectiveness as a bleaching agent. When hypochlorite ion reacts with iodide ion,
elemental iodine and chloride ion are produced.
H 2O

(l)

+ ClO- + 2I- I2 (aq) + Cl- + 2OH-

Iodine produced, in the presence of excess iodide ion, will further react to
form the triiodide complex.
I2 + I- I3Thus, we can write the next reaction of hypochloride with iodide as :
H 2O

(l)

+ ClO- + 3I- I3- + Cl- + 2OH-

The triiodide is then reduced back to iodide by titration with a

standardised thiosulphate solution :
I3- + 2S2O32- 3I- + S4O62Therefore, from these two equations, it shows that iodide ion does not
undergo any net change in the process but its presence assures that the correct
stoichiometry is followed. Its presence also provides a visually detectable
endpoint. The overall equation :
H2O (l) + ClO- + 2S2O32- S4O62- + Cl- + 2OHCopper(ii) unknown analysis

The percent by mass of copper in copper(ii) unknown can be determined

using similar procedure as for the bleach example. The unknown compound is
first dissolved in diluted acid followed by reacting with excess potassium iodide.
This reaction produces triiodide according to the following equation :
2Cu2+ + 5I- 2CuI(s) + I3The triiodide produced in this reaction is then titrated with standardised
thiosulphate solution as in the bleach titration :
I3- + 2S2O32- 3I- + S4O62And the overall reaction is :
2Cu2+ + 2I- + 2S2O32- 2CuI(s) + S4O62Procedure
A. Standardisation of the sodium thiosulphate solution
1. A burette were washed thoroughly with detergent followed by tap
water. Then the burette were rinsed distilled water and finally with
thiosulphate solution provided. Next fill the cleaned burette with fresh
thiosulphate solution.
2. About 2 g of solid KI were weighted into 250 mL conical flash. 50 mL of
0.010 M KIO3 solution were pipetted into the same conical flask and
then add 10 mL of 1.0 M H2SO4. The colour of the solution in your flask
should turn to a deep brown colour. The reaction that occurs in the
flask is :
IO3-(aq) + I-(aq) + H+(aq) I2 ( or I3- ) + H2O(aq)
3. Titrate the solution in your flask immediately with the thiosulphate
solution until the colour of the solution is light yellow.
4. At this point, 2 mL of starch indicator were added using a cylinder. The
solution should turn to blue-black once the starch is added. If there is
no colour change, you have to titrated pass the end point in step 3 and
will need to repeat the titration.
5. The titration were continued after the addition of starch, being very
careful as you are already nearing the end point. Add the titrant drop
wisely until the solution is clear and colourless.
6. The whole process were repeated several times.
B. Analysis of bleach
If time permits, analyse two different brands of bleach; preferably
one named branded and one generic. Record the name of the bleach
samples. Otherwise, analyse only one brand and compare the results of
the other brand done by your friend.
1. A clean and dry 100 mL volumetric flask were obtained and weight to
the nearest 0.001 g. record the weight of the empty 100 mL volumetric
flask into your note book.
2. A 10.0 mL of the first bleach solution were pipetted into the volumetric
flask. Reweight the volumetric flask to obtain the density of the bleach.

3. The sample were diluted to 100 mL mark with distilled water.

Remember to use dropper towards the end. Stopper the flask and mix
well.
4. 10.0 mL of aliquot diluted bleach solution were pipetted into 250 mL
conical flask. 1.0 g of potassium iodide were added and swirl the
resulting mixture. Then add 5.0 mL of 6 M HCl to the mixture.
5. The sample were titrated with the standardised sodium thiosulphate
solution above until the amber iodine colour begins to fade to light
yellow. Add 2 mL of the starch solution and continue the titration
process until the dark colour of the starch-iodine complex just
disappears. Use the drop quantities as your near the end point by
swirling turning the stopcock 180 degree. The titration were repeated
several time.
6. The alnalysis were repeated with the second brand of the bleach
sample.
C. Analysis of copper(II) unknown
1.