How to conduct a titration

Theory

● A titration is a method of analysis that will allow you

to determine the precise quantity of reactant in the
titration flask.
● A chemical reaction takes place (usually acid-base).
● The point at which both reactants are completely
consumed (the equivalence point) is determined as
accurately as possible.
● A mole problem is solved.
 Apparatus

●Volumetric flask
●Burette
●Pipette
●Conical flask
●Pipette filler
●Burette filler
●Indicator bottle
 Standard Solutions

● A standard solution is a solution of accurately known

concentration.
● A primary standard is a solid substance of high purity
and dryness.
● Examples of primary standards include oxalic acid and
anhydrous sodium carbonate
● Standard solutions can be made from primary
standards or by titration against another standard
solution.
 Preparing the Standard Solution

● Accurately weigh out a primary standard.

● Transfer it to a volumetric flask using a small filter funnel.
● Half-fill the volumetric flask to dissolve the primary
standard.
● Fill the flask with water to about 1 centimetre of the
graduation mark.
● Using a wash bottle, add water dropwise until the bottom
of the meniscus is level with the graduation mark.
● Put the lid on, invert and shake the solution.
 Preparing the Burette

●Clean the burette.

●Rinse with about 25 mL of water.
●Rinse with about 25 mL of the
solution to be placed in the
burette.
●Fill and zero the burette with
titrant solution.
●Check for air bubbles and leaks,
before proceeding further.
 Preparing the conical flask

●Clean a conical flask.

●Rinse the flask with water.
●Do NOT rinse the flask with the
solution to be added.
 Rinsing the Pipette

●Obtain a clean pipette.

●Half-fill the pipette with water
using a pipette filler.
●Rinse the pipette.
●Half-fill the pipette with the
solution to be added using the
pipette filler.
●Rinse the pipette.
 Filling the pipette

●Using the pipette filler, draw

up the solution a few
centimetres above the
graduation mark.
●Run the solution into an
empty beaker until the
bottom of the meniscus is
level with the graduation
mark.
 Filling the Conical Flask

● Transfer the solution in the pipette

into the conical flask.
● When all the solution has drained,
touch the pipette to the side of the
conical flask. Some more solution
should drain.
● Do NOT blow the remaining solution
into the flask.
● Add a few drops of indicator to the
solution in the conical flask.
 Setting up for titration

● Position the bottom of the burette

below the lip of the conical flask.
● You may need to place a piece of
paper under the conical flask as a
white background to make the colour
change of the indicator easier to see.
 Titrating the Solutions

● Use the burette to deliver a stream

of titrant to within a couple of mL
of your expected endpoint.
● You will see the indicator change
colour when the titrant hits the
solution in the flask, but the colour
change disappears upon stirring.
 Endpoint

● Approach the endpoint more

slowly and watch the colour of
your flask carefully.
● Use a wash bottle to rinse the
sides of the flask and the tip of
the burette, to be sure all
titrant is mixed in the flask.
 Endpoint
● As you approach the endpoint, you
may need to add a partial drop of
titrant.
● Make sure you know what the
endpoint should look like. For
phenolphthalein, the endpoint is the
first permanent pale pink.
● If you think you might have reached
the endpoint, you can record the
volume reading and add another
partial drop.
End point with phenolphthalein