Garcia, Krizzi Eve D.

- 3CHEM1

DATE: August 24, 2020

Experiment no. 1

Forming Buffer Solutions

OBJECTIVE(S)

 To learn and understand the method of preparing buffer solutions using pH meter

 To calculate the amount of the starting materials using the Henderson-Hasselbalch

equation

MATERIALS AND INSTRUMENTS

A. Materials

 Sodium dihydrogen phosphate dihydrate, NaH2PO4 · 2H2O

 Sodium phosphate dibasic, Na2HPO4

B. Instruments

 pH meter

 stirring rod

 500 mL volumetric flask

 Large beaker
PROCEDURE

Figure 1. Schematic diagram for procedure of preparing buffers

A. Mixing. All of the solid compounds were combined in the large beaker. Both the

compounds were added quantitatively by washing the container with distilled water

until the entire amount has been placed.

B. Dissolving. After putting the solids together, it was dissolved using distilled water. It

should be noted that the water used was much less than the volume required for the
 buffer which was 60-70% of the total amount of solution required. The solution was

stirred until all solids were dissolved and the solution became clear.

C. Checking of initial pH. The initial pH of the stirred solution was read using the pH

meter which should be calibrated beforehand. After obtaining the reading, the pH was

evaluated to be able to make the necessary adjustments using acid and base reagents.

D. Adjusting the pH. If the initial reading of the pH showed a lower value than the

desired, the pH will be adjusted by gradual addition of 1M of sodium hydroxide while

simultaneously checking the resulting pH. If the resulting pH became higher, the

solution will be added with 1M of hydrochloric acid. The solution should be stirred

vigorously to ensure the added reagents are fully incorporated while checking the pH.

The process was repeated continuously by adding small increments of the reagent

until the desired pH was achieved.

E. Transferring. The solution was carefully transferred into the 500-mL volumetric

flask. The beaker was washed with water and transferred again to the flask. The

resulting solution was diluted to volume using distilled water.

F. Final mixing. After filling the flask up to the mark, the solution was mixed by

securing the flask with a stopper and inverting it approximately 10 times. The final

solution is the buffer solution.

RESULTS

A. The amount of reagents. The pH was evaluated by the pH meter. The amounts of the

reagents were not mentioned on the experiment however; it can be calculated using

the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation.

 A
pH= pKa+log
HA

The chemical equation involved in a phosphate buffer system is Na 2HPO4 + H+

NaH2PO4 + Na+.

Reagents Molecular Formula

NaH2PO4 · 2H2O 156.01 g/mol
Na2HPO4 141.96 g/mol
Table 1. Reagents and their molecular formula

pH of the Buffer 7.00

Concentration of the Buffer (mol/L) 0.100 M
Volume of the Buffer (L) 0.500 L
Table 2. Data on the buffer solution

The Ka value for the NaH2PO4/ Na2HPO4 acid/base conjugate pair is 6.2x10-8. Therefore,

getting the negative log gives the pK a value which is 7.21. This value is an excellent choice for a

buffer system with pH of 7 since it is closer to the desired value. Because the given molarity of

the buffer solution is 0.100 M, the concentrations of the individual components can be calculated

using the equation above.

[A]
7.00=7.21+ log
[HA ]

[ A] 7.00−7.21
=10
[ HA ]

[ A]
=0.617
[ HA ]

Alternatively, the value of [A] then is 0.617[HA] which can be used to substitute the

unknown values in the equation below.

0.100 M =[ A ] + [ HA ]

0.100 M =0.617 [ HA ] + [ HA ]

[ HA ] =Na H 2 PO 4=0.0618 M
For the value of [A] since [HA] = 0.0618 M then,

[ A ] =0.617 [HA]

[ A ] =0.617[0.0618 M]

[ A ] =Na2 H PO 4=0.0381 M

Therefore, the concentrations for NaH2PO4 and Na2HPO4 are 0.0618 M and 0.0381 M

respectively. In order to get the amount of the reagents in grams, each calculated concentration

was multiplied with its molar mass.

mol g
Na H 2 PO 4 ∈grams=0.0618 x 156.01 x 0.500 L=4.82 g Na H 2 PO 4
L mol

mol g
Na2 H PO 4 ∈grams=0.0381 x 141.96 x 0.500 L=2.70 g Na2 H PO 4
L mol

The final calculations yielded the amounts of the compounds in grams. In order to be able

to prepare a buffer solution of pH 7.00 with a volume of 500 mL, the needed amounts of

NaH2PO4 · 2H2O and Na2HPO4 are 4.82 g and 2.70 g respectively.

Overall, the objectives of the experiment were achieved. The Henderson-hasselbalch equation is

a helpful tool for the calculation of pH and the amount of the acid/base conjugate pair needed to

prepare an acid/base conjugate pair.