S-CHEM011LA-INORGANIC AND ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY

Module 5: Determination of the amount Acetic Acid in Vinegar by Titration

Experiment 3
Determination of the Amount of Acetic Acid in Vinegar by Titration

Theoretical Background

Acetic acid, CH3COOH, is the main active ingredient in vinegar, a common household
product that is used for cooking and even for cleaning. Commercially available vinegar has 4-
7% acetic acid by volume. The amount of acetic acid in vinegar can be determined by titration
with a strong base using phenolphthalein as indicator. Titration is an analytical method that
determines amount of an unknown analyte by stoichiometrically reacting with a standard
solution of known concentration. In this experiment, NaOH of known concentration will be
used as a titrant to react with the acetic acid in vinegar based on the reaction below.

HC2H3O2 + NaOH → NaC2H3O2 + H2O

The reaction above is a neutralization reaction which takes place in the presence of
phenolphthalein. The completion of the reaction can be monitored by the change in color of
the phenolphthalein from colorless to permanent light pink, referred to as the endpoint. The
endpoint of the titration is generally near the equivalence point which states that the number
of moles of the titrant is chemically equivalent to the number of moles of the analyte. That is,

moles of NaOH = moles of HC2H3O2

Once the number of moles of NaOH used in the titration is known, it can already be related to
the number of moles of HC2H3O2 based on the balanced chemical equation. Thus, the molar
concentration of acetic acid in vinegar can be determined using the equation below.

Moreover, the % mass/volume of acetic acid can be computed as follows:

 S-CHEM011LA-INORGANIC AND ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY
Module 5: Determination of the amount Acetic Acid in Vinegar by Titration

Experimental Procedure

Reagents
Vinegar (any brand)
0.1 M NaOH (standardized)
Phenolphthalein indicator
Distilled water

Materials
50.0 mL burette 50 mL graduated cylinder
Iron stand 250 mL Erlenmeyer flask (2)
Burette clamp 100 mL beaker
5.0 mL pipet medicine dropper
Rubber aspirator

Methodology

1. Prepare titration set up by filling up the 50.0 mL buret with 0.100 M NaOH solution.
Remove air bubbles from the nozzle of the buret by opening the stopcock allowing the
solution to flow freely and smoothly. When all the bubbles are removed, close the
stopcock and fill the buret with 0.100 M NaOH up to the 0.00 mL mark. Record this as the
initial buret reading. Attach the buret to the buret stand as shown in Figure 1A.

A B
Figure 1. Titration Set up
(image source: https://th.bing.com/th/id/OIP.8QRas2JcEdRp9bQkHWumqgHaJw?pid=ImgDet&rs=1, https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-
uDTHVIeelp0/W0MfBWFdnkI/AAAAAAAAE1o/bmcDOMVdWI4zl5o6Kjmxwry6NyMYYpaWwCLcBGAs/s400/Untitled.jpg )
 S-CHEM011LA-INORGANIC AND ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY
Module 5: Determination of the amount Acetic Acid in Vinegar by Titration

2. Prepare your sample by pipetting 3.0 mL vinegar and placing it in a clean 250 mL
Erlenmeyer flask. Add 25.0 mL distilled water using a 50 mL graduated cylinder. To this
solution add 3-5 drops of phenolphthalein indicator. Place the Erlenmeyer flask below the
tip of the buret and slowly add the NaOH with constant swirling until the solution turn to
a permanent light pink (see Figure 1B). Record the final buret reading.
3. Repeat the procedure for trial 2.
4. Using the data obtained, calculate the molar concentration and % m/v of acetic acid in
vinegar.
 S-CHEM011LA-INORGANIC AND ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY
Module 5: Determination of the amount Acetic Acid in Vinegar by Titration

Enabling Assessment Worksheet for Experiment Determination of the Amount of

Acetic Acid in Vinegar by Titration
Name Date
Teacher CYS
Points 40 points Time Allotment 90 minutes Score

I. Schematic Diagram (10 pts)

 S-CHEM011LA-INORGANIC AND ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY
Module 5: Determination of the amount Acetic Acid in Vinegar by Titration

II. Data and Results (14 points )

Brand of vinegar _________________

Molarity of NaOH _________________
Volume of Acetic acid _________________

Trial Initial Buret Final Buret Volume of Molar % m/v

Reading Reading NaOH used Concentration Acetic Acid
of Acetic Acid
1
2
Average

III. Computation (6 pts)

IV. Follow-up Questions

1. Is your calculated % of acetic acid above or below the value indicated in the label of
the vinegar. Explain the difference in the values. (3 pts)

2. What is the purpose of phenolphthalein indicator. Show its reaction with the base at
equivalence point. (4 pts)

V. References: ( 3 points )