Neutralization and Titrations
A quality-control chemist at a food lab needs to know exactly how much acetic acid is in a bottle of vinegar. She can't count molecules, but she can make them react, drop by drop, with a solution whose concentration is known exactly, and record how much it takes. That technique is called a titration, and by the end of this page you'll use it to find the acetic acid content of vinegar yourself.
What happens in a titration
A pH meter dipped in lemon juice reads about $2.4$, but that only measures the H⁺ already free in solution. It doesn't tell you how much acid the juice contains in total. How can we force every acid molecule in a sample to react so we can count them?
Try changing the concentrations in the widget. Notice that the pH changes slowly at first, then jumps sharply near the equivalence point.
In the lab, $40.0\,\text{mL}$ of an aqueous solution of barium hydroxide, $\mathrm{Ba(OH)2}$, of concentration $0.050\,\text{M}$ is neutralized, using as titrant an…
In the lab, $40.0\,\text{mL}$ of an aqueous solution of barium hydroxide, $\mathrm{Ba(OH)_2}$, of concentration $0.050\,\text{M}$ is neutralized, using as titrant an aqueous solution of hydrochloric acid, $\mathrm{HCl}$, of concentration $0.125\,\text{M}$ at a temperature of $25\,^\circ\text{C}$.
- a) Write the balanced chemical equation for the neutralization reaction that takes place.
- b) Calculate the volume of $\mathrm{HCl}$ solution, in milliliters, that must be added to reach exactly the stoichiometric equivalence point.
In a chemical quality control lab, $50.0\,\text{mL}$ of an aqueous solution of nitric acid, $\mathrm{HNO_3}$, $0.0400\,\text{M}$ is titrated by the controlled addition…
In a chemical quality control lab, $50.0\,\text{mL}$ of an aqueous solution of nitric acid, $\mathrm{HNO_3}$, $0.0400\,\text{M}$ is titrated by the controlled addition of a standard solution of sodium hydroxide, $\mathrm{NaOH}$, of concentration $0.0500\,\text{M}$ at $25\,^\circ\text{C}$.
Data: $K_\mathrm{w} = 1.00 \times 10^{-14}$ at $25\,^\circ\text{C}$. Volumes are assumed to be strictly additive.
- a) Determine the $\mathrm{pH}$ of the resulting mixture after $30.0\,\text{mL}$ of the $\mathrm{NaOH}$ solution has been added. Also calculate the volume of titrant needed to reach the equivalence point and justify the value of $\mathrm{pH}$ at that point.
- b) Calculate the new value of $\mathrm{pH}$ of the solution after adding a cumulative volume of $45.0\,\text{mL}$ of $\mathrm{NaOH}$ (in excess of the equivalence point). Consider the solutions to be ideal and the volumes to be additive.
Equivalence point, endpoint, and indicators
When carrying out the volumetric titration of $25.0\,\text{mL}$ of acetic acid, $\mathrm{CH_3COOH}$ (a weak acid), with a solution of sodium hydroxide, $\mathrm{NaOH}$…
When carrying out the volumetric titration of $25.0\,\text{mL}$ of acetic acid, $\mathrm{CH_3COOH}$ (a weak acid), with a solution of sodium hydroxide, $\mathrm{NaOH}$ (a strong base), the equivalence point is theoretically reached at $\mathrm{pH} \approx 8.8$. Two acid-base indicators are available in the lab: methyl red (transition range of $\mathrm{pH}$ between $4.4$ and $6.2$, from red to yellow) and phenolphthalein (transition range of $\mathrm{pH}$ between $8.2$ and $10.0$, from colorless to pink).
- a) Define and concisely distinguish the concept of equivalence point from that of end point in a volumetric titration.
- b) Justify which of the two indicators is ideal for minimizing experimental error in this titration.
Titration curves of weak acids and bases
Mix $25.0\ \text{mL}$ of $0.10\ \text{M}$ HCl with $25.0\ \text{mL}$ of $0.10\ \text{M}$ NaOH and the pH is exactly $7.00$. Repeat it with acetic acid of the same concentration and the pH at equivalence is about $8.8$. Why doesn't a complete neutralization always give a neutral solution?
The flat stretch before the jump is the buffer region: both HA and A⁻ are present in significant amounts, so the pH changes slowly when base is added.
$25.0\,\text{mL}$ of an aqueous solution of benzoic acid, $\mathrm{C_6H_5COOH}$ (a weak monoprotic acid), of concentration $0.0100\,\text{M}$ is titrated with a standard…
$25.0\,\text{mL}$ of an aqueous solution of benzoic acid, $\mathrm{C_6H_5COOH}$ (a weak monoprotic acid), of concentration $0.0100\,\text{M}$ is titrated with a standard solution of potassium hydroxide, $\mathrm{KOH}$, $0.0100\,\text{M}$ at $25\,^\circ\text{C}$.
Data at $25\,^\circ\text{C}$: $K_\mathrm{a}(\mathrm{C_6H_5COOH}) = 6.30 \times 10^{-5}$; $K_\mathrm{w} = 1.00 \times 10^{-14}$.
- a) Calculate the initial $\mathrm{pH}$ of the acid solution before any base is added, and calculate the $\mathrm{pH}$ after exactly $12.5\,\text{mL}$ of the $\mathrm{KOH}$ solution has been added.
- b) Determine the volume of $\mathrm{KOH}$ solution needed to reach the equivalence point and calculate, with justification, the value of $\mathrm{pH}$ at that stoichiometric point, writing the corresponding reactions. Consider the solutions to be ideal and the volumes to be additive.
$30.0\,\text{mL}$ of an aqueous solution of ammonia, $\mathrm{NH_3}$, of concentration $0.150\,\text{M}$ is titrated with a solution of hydrochloric acid,…
$30.0\,\text{mL}$ of an aqueous solution of ammonia, $\mathrm{NH_3}$, of concentration $0.150\,\text{M}$ is titrated with a solution of hydrochloric acid, $\mathrm{HCl}$, $0.100\,\text{M}$ at $25\,^\circ\text{C}$.
Data at $25\,^\circ\text{C}$: $K_\mathrm{b}(\mathrm{NH_3}) = 1.80 \times 10^{-5}$; $K_\mathrm{w} = 1.00 \times 10^{-14}$.
Available indicators (name, transition range, acid form color/basic form color): bromocresol green ($3.8 - 5.4$, yellow/blue); methyl red ($4.4 - 6.2$, red/yellow); thymolphthalein ($9.3 - 10.5$, colorless/blue).
- a) Calculate the volume of $\mathrm{HCl}$ solution used at the equivalence point and the $\mathrm{pH}$ of the solution at that point, justifying its acidity chemically.
- b) Select, with justification, a suitable indicator from the three proposed and explain in detail the analytical consequence of wrongly using thymolphthalein in this titration. Consider the solutions to be ideal and the volumes to be additive.
Using titrations: concentration, purity, and uncertainty
Sometimes a direct titration doesn't work: the sample is a solid that dissolves slowly, or it doesn't dissolve in water at all (like the CaCO₃ in an antacid tablet). In a back titration, you add a known excess of a reagent, let it react completely, and then titrate the leftover reagent.
To determine the unknown concentration of an aqueous solution of hydrochloric acid, $\mathrm{HCl}$, an aliquot of $25.0\,\text{mL}$ is taken with a volumetric pipette…
To determine the unknown concentration of an aqueous solution of hydrochloric acid, $\mathrm{HCl}$, an aliquot of $25.0\,\text{mL}$ is taken with a volumetric pipette and transferred to an Erlenmeyer flask, and two drops of phenolphthalein are added. A graduated burette of $50.0\,\text{mL}$ (reading uncertainty of $\pm 0.05\,\text{mL}$ per meniscus setting) is filled with a standard solution of sodium hydroxide, $\mathrm{NaOH}$, $0.100\,\text{M}$. The figure shows the experimental setup together with the initial burette reading and the final reading at the moment the color changes.
The initial meniscus reading is $1.20\,\text{mL}$ and the final reading at the persistent end point is $24.60\,\text{mL}$.
- a) Determine the net volume of $\mathrm{NaOH}$ solution used in the titration and calculate the absolute uncertainty associated with this volume measurement.
- b) Calculate the molar concentration of the $\mathrm{HCl}$ solution analyzed, giving the result to the appropriate number of significant figures. Estimate the uncertainty of the volume used conservatively by adding the two maximum reading uncertainties.
The acetic acid content, $\mathrm{CH_3COOH}$, of a commercial vinegar of density $1.01\,\text{g/mL}$ is analyzed. To do so, $10.0\,\text{mL}$ of the vinegar is taken…
The acetic acid content, $\mathrm{CH_3COOH}$, of a commercial vinegar of density $1.01\,\text{g/mL}$ is analyzed. To do so, $10.0\,\text{mL}$ of the vinegar is taken with a volumetric pipette, placed in a volumetric flask of $100.0\,\text{mL}$, made up to the mark with deionized water and mixed thoroughly. An aliquot of $20.0\,\text{mL}$ of the diluted solution is then taken and titrated with an aqueous solution of $\mathrm{NaOH}$ of concentration $0.120\,\text{M}$ in the presence of phenolphthalein. Exactly $16.5\,\text{mL}$ of titrant is used to reach the end point.
Data: Relative atomic masses: $\mathrm{C}=12.0$; $\mathrm{H}=1.0$; $\mathrm{O}=16.0$.
- a) Write the balanced equation for the neutralization reaction.
- b) Calculate the molar concentration of acetic acid in the original vinegar and determine its percentage by mass ($\%\,\text{m/m}$).
The aim is to quantify the calcium carbonate content, $\mathrm{CaCO_3}$, of a commercial antacid tablet of total mass $1.20\,\text{g}$. The powdered sample is reacted…
The aim is to quantify the calcium carbonate content, $\mathrm{CaCO_3}$, of a commercial antacid tablet of total mass $1.20\,\text{g}$. The powdered sample is reacted with $50.0\,\text{mL}$ of aqueous solution of $\mathrm{HCl}$ $0.600\,\text{M}$, producing carbon dioxide according to the process:
$\mathrm{CaCO_3\,(s) + 2\,HCl\,(aq) \rightarrow CaCl_2\,(aq) + CO_2\,(g) + H_2O\,(l)}$.
Once all the gas formed has been expelled, the excess hydrochloric acid remaining is back-titrated with a solution of $\mathrm{NaOH}$ $0.250\,\text{M}$, a volume of $44.0\,\text{mL}$ of the base being required to reach the color change.
Data: Atomic masses: $\mathrm{Ca}=40.1$; $\mathrm{C}=12.0$; $\mathrm{O}=16.0$.
- a) Calculate the amount of $\mathrm{HCl}$, in moles, that reacted with the $\mathrm{CaCO_3}$.
- b) Determine the mass of $\mathrm{CaCO_3}$ present in the tablet and its percentage by mass in the medicine. Assume that the other components of the tablet do not react with the acid and that no HCl is lost during the expulsion of the gas.
Lab safety with acids and bases
Back to the beginning: Our vinegar sample turned out to be $0.990\ \text{M}$ acetic acid, or $5.88\%$ by mass. One titration, one balanced equation, and a mole ratio were all it took.