Expt.

2
Complexometric Titrations : Estimation of Magnesium

Theory:
 Many metal ions react with electron pair donors to form coordination compounds or
complex ions.
 The formation of a particular class of coordination compounds, called chelates, are
especially well suited for quantitative methods.
 A chelate is formed when a metal ion coordinates with two (or more) donor groups of a
single ligand.
 Tertiary amine compounds such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) are widely
used for the formation of chelates.
 The formation of a colored complex is used to indicate the end point of a titration.
 Complexometric titrations are particularly useful for the determination of a mixture of
different metal ions in solution.
 An indicator capable of producing an unambiguous color change is usually used to detect
the end-point of the titration.

Reagents needed
1. ZnSO4. 7H2O
2. EDTA
3. Eriochrome Black T
4. Buffer solution; pH= 10)
5. Unknown solution ( MgSO4)
Structure of Eriochrome
Black T (EBT) indicator
EBT is blue at pH= 10
but when combined
with metal ions it turns
wine red.
Objective:
Estimate the amount of magnesium present per litre of
the given solution of magnesium sulphate.

Procedure:
Step 1. Preparation of standard ( 0.025 M) ZnSO4 solution

About 0.72 g of AR ZnSO4. 7H2O is accurately weighed and transferred to

a 100 ml standard flask. It is dissolved in distilled water, diluted and made
up to the mark

Step 2.
Standardisation of EDTA

A burette is set with EDTA solution. 20 ml of standard ZnSO4 solution is

pipetted into a conical flask. Then 2 ml of buffer solution of pH 10 and a pinch
of Eriochrome black T indicator are added to this solution in conical flask. The
solution is shaken thoroughly and titrated against EDTA until the colour of the
solution changes from wine red to blue (at the end point). The titration is
repeated for concordant titre values.
Step 3
Estimation of Magnesium

Given Mg2+ solution is made upto 100 ml in distilled water. 20 ml of this solution
is pipetted out into a conical flask. 2 ml of the buffer solution and 4 drops of
Eriochrome black T indicator are added to this solution, and titrated against the
standard EDTA until the color changes from red to pure blue. Titrations are
repeated till concordant results are obtained. From the titer values, strength of
magnesium solution and the amount of magnesium in the whole of the given
solution is calculated

Eriochrome Black T exists as a wine-red complex when Mg+2 is present in

solution at pH = 10. When the EDTA has chelated all the Mg+2 present in
solution, the indicator (free and uncomplexed to Mg+2 ) will be blue. This color
change marks the endpoint.
Stability constant or formation constant Kf
Observations
Unknown I
1. Standardisation of EDTA

Sl No Vol. of ZnSO4 Burette Readimg Vol. of EDTA

solution (V1) Initial Final used
1 20 0 21.4 21.4
2 20 0 21.5 21.5
3 20 0 21.5 21.5

2. Estimation of magnesium

Sl No Vol. of MgSO4 Burette Readimg Vol. of EDTA

solution (V1) Initial Final used
1 20 0 21.5 21.5
2 20 0 21.6 21.6
3 20 0 21.6 21.6
 Calculations:

Mass of ZnSO4. 7H2O in 100 ml = 0.72 g

Molarity of ZnSO4 solution (M1) = Mass per litre / Molecular Mass

= 0.72 x 10 / 287.36 = …………

(i) Standardisation of EDTA

Volume of ZnSO4 solution , V1 = 20 ml

Volume of EDTA, V2 = …………… ml

Molarity of EDTA solution, M2 = M1V1/V2 = ……………

(ii) Estimation of Magnesium

Volume of Mg2+ solution, V3 = 20 ml
Volume of EDTA, V2 = …………… mL
Molarity of EDTA solution, M2 = ……………
Molarity of Mg2+ solution, M3 = M2V2/V3
Mass of Mg2+ per litre of the given solution, W = M3 × 24.01 = ………… g

Result
Mass of magnesium present per litre of given solution = ……… g
Observations
Unknown II
1. Standardisation of EDTA

Sl No Vol. of ZnSO4 Burette Readimg Vol. of EDTA

solution (V1) Initial Final used
1 20 0 21.4 21.4
2 20 0 21.5 21.5
3 20 0 21.5 21.5

2. Estimation of magnesium

Sl No Vol. of MgSO4 Burette Readimg Vol. of EDTA

solution (V1) Initial Final used
1 20 0 19.8 19.8
2 20 0 19.7 19.7
3 20 0 19.7 19.7
Observations
Unknown III
1. Standardisation of EDTA

Sl No Vol. of ZnSO4 Burette Readimg Vol. of EDTA

solution (V1) Initial Final used
1 20 0 21.4 21.4
2 20 0 21.5 21.5
3 20 0 21.5 21.5

2. Estimation of magnesium

Sl No Vol. of MgSO4 Burette Readimg Vol. of EDTA

solution (V1) Initial Final used
1 20 0 18.2 18.2
2 20 0 18.0 18.0
3 20 0 18.0 18.0