BRITISH STANDARD BS EN ISO

2871-2:2010

Surface active agents

— Detergents —
Determination of
cationic-active matter
content
Part 2: Cationic-active matter of low
molecular mass (between 200 and 500)
(ISO 2871-2:2010)

ICS 71.100.40

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BS EN ISO 2871-2:2010

National foreword

This British Standard is the UK implementation of EN ISO 2871-2:2010.

It supersedes BS EN ISO 2871-2:1994 which is withdrawn.
The UK participation in its preparation was entrusted to Technical
Committee CII/34, Methods of test for surface active agents.
A list of organizations represented on this committee can be obtained on
request to its secretary.
This publication does not purport to include all the necessary provisions
of a contract. Users are responsible for its correct application.
Compliance with a British Standard cannot confer immunity
from legal obligations.

This British Standard Amendments/corrigenda issued since publication

was published under the
authority of the Standards
Policy and Strategy Date Comments
Committee on 30 April
2010.
© BSI 2010

ISBN 978 0 580 68045 8

EUROPEAN STANDARD EN ISO 2871-2
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM February 2010

ICS 71.100.40 Supersedes EN ISO 2871-2:1994

English Version

Surface active agents - Detergents - Determination of cationic-

active matter content - Part 2: Cationic-active matter of low
molecular mass (between 200 and 500) (ISO 2871-2:2010)

Agents de surface - Détergents - Détermination de la Tenside - Waschmittel - Bestimmung des Gehaltes der
teneur en matière active cationique - Partie 2: Matière kationaktiven Substanz - Teil 2: Kationaktive Substanz
active cationique à faible masse moléculaire (entre 200 et niedriger Molmasse (zwischen 200 und 500) (ISO 2871-
500) (ISO 2871-2:2010) 2:2010)

This European Standard was approved by CEN on 11 February 2010.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European
Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national
standards may be obtained on application to the CEN Management Centre or to any CEN member.

This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN Management Centre has the same status as the
official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland,
Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION

COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B-1000 Brussels

© 2010 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN ISO 2871-2:2010: E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
BS EN ISO 2871-2:2010
EN ISO 2871-2:2010 (E)

Foreword
This document (EN ISO 2871-2:2010) has been prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 91 "Surface active
agents" in collaboration with Technical Committee CEN/TC 276 “Surface active agents” the secretariat of
which is held by AFNOR.

This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an identical
text or by endorsement, at the latest by August 2010, and conflicting national standards shall be withdrawn at
the latest by August 2010.

Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. CEN [and/or CENELEC] shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.

This document supersedes EN ISO 2871-2:1994.

According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the following
countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech
Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia,
Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain,
Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

Endorsement notice

The text of ISO 2871-2:2010 has been approved by CEN as a EN ISO 2871-2:2010 without any modification.

3
 BS EN ISO 2871-2:2010
ISO 2871-2:2010(E)

Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies
(ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.

International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.

The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.

Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.

ISO 2871-2 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 91, Surface active agents.

This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 2871-2:1990), of which it constitutes a minor
revision.

ISO 2871 consists of the following parts, under the general title Surface active agents — Detergents —
Determination of cationic-active matter content:

⎯ Part 1: High-molecular-mass cationic-active matter

⎯ Part 2: Cationic-active matter of low molecular mass (between 200 and 500)

© ISO 2010 – All rights reserved iii

BS EN ISO 2871-2:2010
 BS EN ISO 2871-2:2010
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 2871-2:2010(E)

Surface active agents — Detergents — Determination of

cationic-active matter content —
Part 2:
Cationic-active matter of low molecular mass (between 200
and 500)

1 Scope
This part of ISO 2871 specifies a method for the determination of low-molecular-mass cationic-active
materials such as monoamines, amine oxides, quaternary ammonium compounds and alkylpyridinium salts
which have a main chain of 10 to 22 carbon atoms and not more than 6 other carbon atoms in the cation.

The method is also suitable for other cationic-active materials.

The method is applicable to solids or to aqueous solutions of the active material when the relative molecular
mass of the cationic-active matter is known or when it has been previously determined if its content is
expressed as a percentage by mass. If more than one type of cationic-active material is present, an estimate
of average relative molecular mass may be used.

The method is not applicable if anionic and/or amphoteric surface active agents are present.

2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 385, Laboratory glassware — Burettes
ISO 607, Surface active agents and detergents — Methods of sample division
ISO 1042, Laboratory glassware — One-mark volumetric flasks
ISO 2271:1989, Surface active agents — Detergents — Determination of anionic-active matter by manual or
mechanical direct two-phase titration procedure
ISO 3696, Water for analytical laboratory use — Specification and test methods

3 Principle
The cationic-active matter in a sample is titrated in a two-phase (aqueous chloroform) system against a
standard anionic surface active agent in the presence of an indicator consisting of mixed anionic and cationic
dyes. The cationic surface active agent present in the sample initially reacts with the anionic dye to form a salt
which dissolves in the chloroform layer, imparting a blue colour to this layer. During the titration, the anionic
surface active agent displaces the anionic dye and, at the end point, forms a salt with the cationic dye,
imparting a greyish-pink colour to the chloroform layer.

© ISO 2010 – All rights reserved 1

BS EN ISO 2871-2:2010
ISO 2871-2:2010(E)

4 Reagents
During the analysis, use only reagents of recognized analytical grade and only distilled water or water of at
least equivalent purity complying with the specifications for grade 3 of ISO 3696.

4.1 Chloroform, ρ20 = 1,48 g/ml, distilling between 59,5 °C and 61,5 °C.

4.2 Sodium lauryl sulfate (sodium dodecyl sulfate) [CH3(CH2)11OSO3Na], standard volumetric solution,
c(C12H25NaO4S) = 0,004 mol/l.

While preparing the standard volumetric solution as described in 4.2.2, check the purity of the solid sodium
lauryl sulfate used as described in 4.2.1.

4.2.1 Determination of purity of sodium lauryl sulfate.

Weigh, to the nearest 1 mg, 5 g ± 0,2 g of the solid product into a 250 ml round-bottomed flask with ground-
glass neck. Add exactly 25 ml of a standard volumetric sulfuric acid solution, c(H2SO4) = 1 mol/l, and reflux
using a water condenser. During the first 5 min to 10 min, the solution will thicken and tend to foam strongly;
control this by removing the source of heat and swirling the contents of the flask.

In order to avoid excessive foaming, instead of refluxing, the solution may be left on a boiling water bath for
60 min.

After a further 10 min, the solution will become clear and foaming will cease. Reflux for a further 90 min.

Remove the source of heat, cool the flask and carefully rinse the condenser with 30 ml of ethanol followed by
water.

Add a few drops of ethanolic phenolphthalein solution (concentration 10 g/l), and titrate the solution with
sodium hydroxide solution c(NaOH) = 1 mol/l.

Carry out a blank test by titrating 25 ml of the 1 mol/l sulfuric acid solution with the 1 mol/l sodium hydroxide
solution.

Calculate the purity, τ , expressed as a percentage by mass, of the sodium lauryl sulfate using the formula

28,84 (V1 − V0 ) c 0
m1

where

V0 is the volume, in millilitres, of the 1 mol/l sodium hydroxide solution used for the blank test;

V1 is the volume, in millilitres, of the 1 mol/l sodium hydroxide solution used for the test portion of
sodium lauryl sulfate taken;

c0 is the exact concentration, expressed in moles of NaOH per litre, of the sodium hydroxide solution
used;

m1 is the mass, in grams, of the test portion of sodium lauryl sulfate taken.

4.2.2 Preparation of standard volumetric sodium lauryl sulfate solution.

Weigh, to the nearest 1 mg, between 1,14 g and 1,16 g of sodium lauryl sulfate and dissolve in 200 ml of
water. Transfer the solution quantitatively to a 1 000 ml one-mark volumetric flask (5.3) fitted with a ground-
glass stopper, and dilute to the mark with water.

2 © ISO 2010 – All rights reserved

 BS EN ISO 2871-2:2010
ISO 2871-2:2010(E)

Calculate the exact concentration c2, expressed in moles of C12H25NaO4S per litre, of the solution thus
obtained, using the formula

m 2τ
288,4 × 100

where

m2 is the mass, in grams, of sodium Iauryl sulfate used to prepare the solution;

τ has the same meaning as in 4.2.1.

4.3 Mixed indicator solution1).

4.3.1 Stock solution.

This solution shall be prepared from acid blue 1 and dimidium bromide.

4.3.1.1 Acid blue 12) (Colour Index 42045) (Hydrogen [4-[4-(diethylamino)-2′,4′-

disulfonatobenzhydrylidene]cyclohexa-2,5-dien-1-ylidene]diethylammonium, sodium salt).

+
N

O
O S O

+
O Na
N S
O
O

4.3.1.2 Dimidium bromide (3,8-diamino-5-methyl-6-phenylphenanthridinium bromide).

NH 2

N Br
+

H 2N

1) This mixed indicator is available commercially in the form of a basic solution, which should be acidified and diluted
before use.
2) Acid blue 1, also known as disulfine blue VN 150, is an example of a suitable product available commercially. This
information is given for the convenience of users of this part of ISO 2871 and does not constitute an endorsement by ISO
of this product.

© ISO 2010 – All rights reserved 3

BS EN ISO 2871-2:2010
ISO 2871-2:2010(E)

4.3.1.3 Preparation of the stock solution.

Weigh, to the nearest 1 mg, 0,5 g ± 0,005 g of dimidium bromide (4.3.1.2) into a 50 ml beaker, and
0,25 g ± 0,005 g of acid blue 1 (4.3.1.1) into a second 50 ml beaker.

Add between 20 ml and 30 ml of hot 10 % (volume fraction) ethanol to each beaker.

Stir until dissolved and transfer the solutions to a 250 ml one-mark volumetric flask. Rinse the beakers into the
volumetric flask with the ethanol and dilute to the mark with the ethanol.

4.3.2 Acid solution.

Add 200 ml of water to 20 ml of the stock solution (4.3.1) in a 500 ml one-mark volumetric flask. Add 20 ml of
approximately 245 g/l sulfuric acid solution, mix and dilute to the mark with water. Store in the dark.

5 Apparatus
Ordinary laboratory apparatus and the following:

5.1 Flask or measuring cylinder, 250 ml capacity, with ground-glass stopper.

5.2 Burette, 25 ml capacity, complying with the specifications for class A of ISO 385.

5.3 One-mark volumetric flask, 1 000 ml capacity, with ground-glass stopper, complying with class A of
ISO 1042.

6 Sampling
The laboratory sample of the detergent shall be prepared and stored in accordance with instructions given in
ISO 607.

7 Procedure

7.1 Test portion

Weigh, to the nearest 0,5 mg, a sufficient amount of the laboratory sample to contain between 0,002 mol and
0,003 mol of cationic-active matter.

Table 1, which has been calculated on the basis of a relative molecular mass of 360, may be used as a rough
guide.

Table 1 — Guide to mass of test portion

Expected cationic-active Mass of test portion

% (mass fraction) g

10 10
20 5
100 1

Possible interferences:

4 © ISO 2010 – All rights reserved

 BS EN ISO 2871-2:2010
ISO 2871-2:2010(E)

⎯ Low relative molecular mass sulfonates of toluene and xylene present as hydrotropes do not interfere
when present in concentrations up to and including 15 % (mass fraction) with respect to the active
material. At higher levels, their influence should be evaluated in each particular case.

⎯ Non-ionic surface active agents, soap, urea and the salts of (ethylenedinitrilo)tetraacetic acid do not
interfere.

⎯ Typical inorganic components of detergent formulations, such as sodium chloride, sulfate, borate,
tripolyphosphate, perborate, silicate, etc., do not interfere, but bleaching agents other than perborate shall
be destroyed before the analysis, and the sample shall be completely soluble in water.

7.2 Determination

Dissolve the test portion (7.1) in water and transfer to the 1 000 ml one-mark volumetric flask (5.3). Dilute to
the mark with water and mix well.

By means of a pipette, transfer 25 ml of this solution to the 250 ml flask or measuring cylinder (5.1).

Using measuring cylinders, add 10 ml of the mixed indicator solution (4.3), 15 ml of chloroform (4.1) and 25 ml
of water. Mix well.

Fill the burette (5.2) with the sodium lauryl sulfate solution (4.2) and titrate; stopper the flask or measuring
cylinder after each addition and shake well.

NOTE The lower (chloroform) layer will be coloured blue.

Continue the titration, drop by drop, with repeated vigorous shaking, until at the end point the blue colour is
discharged and the lower (chloroform) layer turns greyish-pink.

8 Expression of results

8.1 Calculation

The content, expressed as a percentage by mass, of cationic-active matter is given by the formula

VcM r × 1 000 × 100 4VcM r

=
25 × 1 000 m0 m0

where

V is the volume, in millilitres, of the sodium lauryl sulfate solution (4.2) used for the titration;

c is the actual concentration, expressed in moles of C12H25NaO4S per litre, of the sodium lauryl sulfate
solution (4.2);

Mr is the mean relative molecular mass of the cationic-active matter;

m0 is the mass, in grams, of the test portion (7.1)

8.2 Precision

8.2.1 Repeatability

1,6 % of the mean value.

© ISO 2010 – All rights reserved 5

BS EN ISO 2871-2:2010
ISO 2871-2:2010(E)

In the normal and correct operation of the method, the difference between two individual results obtained
within the shortest feasible time interval by the same operator using the same apparatus and identical test
material will exceed the repeatability value on average not more than once in 20 cases.

8.2.2 Reproducibility

4 % of the mean value.

In the normal and correct operation of the method, the difference between individual results obtained by two
different laboratories using identical test material will exceed the reproducibility value on average not more
than once in 20 cases.

9 Test report

The test report shall include the following information:

a) all the indications necessary for the complete identification of the sample;

b) the method used (reference to this part of ISO 2871);

c) the results and the way in which they have been expressed;

d) any unusual features noted during the determination;

e) any operation not specified in this part of ISO 2871 or in the International Standard to which reference is
made, as well as any operation regarded as optional.

6 © ISO 2010 – All rights reserved

BS EN ISO 2871-2:2010
BS EN ISO
2871-2:2010
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