Redox Titration:

Analyzing the mg ascorbic acid in a 500 mg VIt. C tablet.

Use these values to complete your data table and make observations.
Preparing solutions

Mass out ascorbic acid

(vitamin C) crystals and
dilute to 100.0 mL: 0.81 g

The massed crystals are

dissolved in water and
diluted in a 100.0 mL
volumetric flask.
Mass 500 mg vitamin C
tablet (this is the name of
the tablet, the mass is larger
than 0.5 grams): 0.63 g

Crush the tablet and mass

out some vitamin tablet to
dilute to 100.0 mL: 0.49 g

Make starch-iodine
indicator

Add cornstarch to water to

form a paste then add the
paste to boiling water and
heat for 5 min.
Cool to room temperature.

Add providone-iodine to
form blue-black color.

Test indicator solution

Measure out 10 drops of

indicator solution and add
ascorbic acid until the color
disappears (ascorbic acid
reacts with the iodine so
there is no longer a
starch-iodine complex
forming the blue-black
color).

Repeat the indicator test

with the tablet sample
solution.
Measure 25.0 mL indicator
for each titration

Titrate the indicator with

the known (pure ascorbic
acid) solution.

Start and end colors are

pictured.

Trial 1

Start and end burette

measurements are pictured.
Trial 2

Start and end burette

measurements are pictured.

Trial 3

Start and end burette

measurements are pictured.

Trial 4

Start and end burette

measurements are pictured.

Titrate the indicator with

the unknown (vitamin
tablet sample) solution.

Start and end colors are

pictured.
Trial 1

Start and end burette

measurements are pictured.

Trial 2

Start and end burette

measurements are pictured.

Trial 3

Start and end burette

measurements are pictured.

Trial 4

Start and end burette

measurements are pictured.

Attach handwritten calculations to your lab report, you need to calculate each of the
following underlined values:
○ You will first need to calculate the ​exact molarity of the standard ascorbic acid solution​ based on the 
amount of ascorbic acid crystals weighed out and dissolved in the 100.00 mL volumetric flask.  
○ Use the av​ erage mL of standard ascorbic acid solution​ needed to titrate 25.0 mL of the starch to 
calculate the moles of iodine in 25.0 mL of starch indicator solution​. The balanced reaction for 
ascorbic acid and iodine is: 

C​6H ​ ​O6​ ​ (aq) (vitamin C) + I2​ ​ (aq) ⟶ C6​ H

​ 8 ​ ​6O
​ ​6​ (aq) + 2H​ (aq) + 2I​ (aq) 
+​ -​

○ Use the molarity of indicator solution and the ​average volume of vitamin tablet solution​ to calculate 
the​ mg vitamin C in the vitamin tablet sample.​ Then use the mass ratio g total powder in tablet/(g 
sample) to c​ alculate the mg vitamin c in the entire tablet.​  
 

Experiment Clean-up and Waste

React all remaining iodine in indicator

with excess vitamin c (left over vitamin
and ascorbic acid standard solutions).
Waste stream: liquid waste

Rinse and air dry all glassware in a

secure space then return to the lab kit.
Do not dry by wiping with cloth or paper
towel (may transfer particulate or get
stuck in narrow necks).