Principle of Karl Fischer Titration 

The principle of Karl Fischer titration is based on the oxidation reaction between
iodine and sulphur dioxide. Water reacts with iodine and sulphur dioxide to form
sulphur trioxide and hydrogen iodide. An endpoint is reached when all the water is
consumed. The chemical equation for the reaction between sulphur dioxide, iodine,
and water (which is employed during Karl Fischer titration) is provided below.

I2 + SO2 + H2O → 2HI + SO3

 Coulometric determination – The endpoint is detected in this experiment

electrochemically. Iodine required for KF reaction is obtained by anodic
oxidation of iodide from solution.

The volumetric standard for Karl Fischer titration is sodium tartrate dihydrate. It
is stable and non-hygroscopic, under normal conditions. Sodium tartrate dihydrate
has a 15.66 percent stoichiometric water content and is primarily used in
volumetry to measure the titer.

The water equivalence factor F is determined according to the formula 0.1566 x

w / v in mgs of H2O per ml of reagent, where W is the sodium tartrate weight in
mgs, and V is the reagent volume in ml.