Quantitative Analysis of Soda Ash by Double Indicator Method
G. Tolentino1
1
Institute of Chemistry, College of Science, University of the Philippines
Date Submitted: 27 September 2022
Instructor’s Name: R. Matabilas
1. Question 1: Rationalize the use of boiled
distilled water as the diluent in the analysis
of soda ash.
Boiled distilled water is used as the diluent so that
soda ash (Na2CO3) does not react with calcium in
hard water or in pure water[1]. The carbonate from
Na2CO3 can react with the calcium present in water,
creating calcium carbonate. The reaction is shown
below.
Ca2+ + CO32- → CaCO3
Soda ash raises the pH of water which causes a
phenomenon called carbonate clouding. Hence, the
processes of distillation and boiling remove soluble
materials, such as calcium, in water[2]. This then
prevents the soda ash from reacting when water is
added for dilution.
Reference:
[1] Orenda Technologies. Why does Soda Ash Cloud
up pool water? https://blog.orendatech.com/why-
does-soda-ash-cloud-up-pool-water (accessed Sep
25, 2022).
[2] Bhattacharya, P.; Rosborg, I.; Sandhi, A.; Hayes, C.;
Joäo Benoliel, M. Metals and Related Substances in
Drinking Water. Water Intelligence Online 2011, 10,
9781780401393.
2. Question 2: Why is the mixture of sodium
hydroxide and sodium bicarbonate
incompatible?
Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) and sodium
hydroxide (NaOH) cannot mix together or exist in a
solution independently. This can be explained in the
chemical equation below.
NaHCO3(aq) + NaOH(aq) ↔ Na2CO3(s) + H2O(l)
Both NaHCO3 and NaOH are strong bases; however,
the former can act as both base and acid [1]. NaHCO3
is more basic as an aqueous solution due to
hydrolysis. In this case, NaHCO3 acts as an acid by
removing the H atom and reacting with the hydroxyl
ion in NaOH. However, due to their similarity in
basic strength, they are incompatible[2].
Reference:
[1] Sodium bicarbonate.
https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Sodiu
m-bicarbonate (accessed Sep 25, 2022).
[2] Sathiavasan, K. Why a mixture of NaOH and
NAHCO3 is incompatible? https://bit.ly/3C63oTo
(accessed Sep 25, 2022).
3. Question 3: Enumerate the different regions
in the titration curve of soda ash with HCl as
(1)
titrant. What species are present in each of
the regions?
In the titration curve of soda ash with HCl, there are
three regions present together with two equivalence
points[1]. Before the first equivalence point where no
HCl was added, carbonate ions are present. After
HCl is added to Na2CO3, the H atom binds with the
carbonate, thus forming HCO3- which is present
while titrating using phenolphthalein indicator
before the first equivalence point.
CO32-(aq) + H+(aq) → HCO3-(aq) (1)
During this process both carbonate and bicarbonate
ions are present. After all the CO 32- have converted
to HCO3-, the first equivalence point is reached. After
the first equivalence point and using methyl orange
as the indicator, the bicarbonate ions react with
more H atoms, forming carbonic acid.
HCO3-(aq) + H+(aq) → H2CO3-(aq) (2)
In between the first and second equivalence points,
both bicarbonate ions and carbonic acid are present.
After all the HCO3- have converted into H2CO3-, the
second equivalence point is reached. In the region
after the second equivalence point, only H 2CO3- is
(1) present.
Page 1 of 3
 Figure 1. Titration curve for soda ash[2]. Reference:

Reference: [1] Helmenstine, A. M. Learn about primary and

secondary standards in Chemistry.
[1] Titration of Sodium Carbonate with HCl.
https://bit.ly/3C5om4L (accessed Sep 25, 2022).
https://bit.ly/3UCJ17u (accessed Sep 25, 2022).
[2] Harvey, D. 5.1: Analytical signals.
[2] Christian, G. D. In Analytical Chemistry; Wiley:
https://bit.ly/3BL67QM (accessed Sep 25, 2022).
New York, 1994; pp 692–694.

4. Question 4: Why is the analyte solution

boiled when the methyl orange endpoint is
about to be reached?

Boiling the analyte solution releases the dissolved

CO2 after its reaction with HCl[1]. The endpoint is
reached easily when the solution changed to orange
completely. However, adding HCl to Na 2CO3, CO2 is
created which affects the pH of the analyte solution.
This can be seen from the chemical equation below:

2HCl(aq) + Na2CO3(aq) ↔ 2NaCl(aq) + H2O(l) + (1)

CO2(aq)

As the solution is boiled, the dissolved CO 2 is

released from the solution, which will raise the pH to
cause the color to change back to yellow and avoid
over titration[2].

Reference:

[1] Willhoft, E. Why during titration of hcl and

NA2CO3 the solution is boiled just before reaching
the second equivalence point? https://bit.ly/3SvcO06
(accessed Sep 25, 2022).

[2] Seely, O. The Volumetric Determination of

Sodium Carbonate.
http://www2.csudh.edu/oliver/demos/carbnate/carb
nate.htm (accessed Sep 25, 2022).

5. Question 5: Enumerate the characteristics of

an ideal primary standard. Based on these
properties can NaOH be used as primary
standard against acidic titrants?

A primary standard should have the following

criteria: (1) a purity level, (2) high stability or low
reactivity, (3) not hygroscopic or oxidized by air and
affected by carbon dioxide, (4) high molecular mass
or equivalent weight, (5) readily soluble, (6) nontoxic,
and, (7) inexpensive or readily available [1][2].

Based on the enumerated characteristics above,

NaOH is not suitable to be used as a primary
standard. This is because NaOH easily absorbs
moisture or H2O from the surroundings.
Furthermore, it also readily absorbs CO 2, thus,
already disagreeing with one of the criteria for a
primary standard[1].

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Data Treatment

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