TITLE: TITRATION

AIM: TO DETERMINE THE PURITY OF THE UNKNOWN

POTASSIUM ACID PHTHALATE (KHP).

INTRODUCTION:

Acid-Base titration is one of many analytical methods used to neutralize an acid or base by
finding out its ‘unknown’ concentrations. ‘Experiment 1’ is based on finding out the purity
and concentration of the impure KHP by titration method. KHP is to be used as our primary
standard as it fits the criteria being high purity, stable in air, solid which makes it easier to
weigh. On the other hand sodium hydroxide was used as our titrant. During this acid-base
reaction KHP as our acidic substance contains our ionizing hydrogen. (Shown below)

REACTION OCCURING

KHP(aq) + NaOH (aq) NaKP(aq) + H20(l)

‘P’ stands for C H O

8 4 4
2-

Phenolphalein is used as our indicator so a light pink colour should show as soon as reaction
reaches the end-point. In short words for this experiment 1 I will be using titration to make
sure I achieve my aim.

Part 1: Standardisation of Sodium Hydroxide against Potassium Hydrogen Phthalate.

Methods

1. Prepare 250 mL of 0.04 M solution of NaOH by suitable dilution of a stock 2M

NaOH solution.
2. Weight three individual 0.2-0.25 samples of primary standard grade KHP into three
separate 250 mL conical flasks.
3. Dissolve each sample in 30-50mL distilled water.
4. Add 2 drops of phenolphthalein indicator.
5. Titrate with the 0.04M NaOH solution (in the burette) until the pink colour persists for
approximately 30 seconds.
RESULT

FLASK MASS (g) TITRATION

VOLUME (mL)
1 0.2011 23.83
2 0.2106 23.72
3 0.2016 23.74
Calculate the concentration of the sodium hydroxide solution.

Molecular Weight of KHP = 204.224 g/mol

Molecular Weight of NaOH = 39.997 g/mol

Average Volume: (23.83+23.72+23.74) mL

3
Average Mass: ( 0.2011 + 0.2106 + 0.2016) g
3
Mole (KHP) = Average Mass
Molar Mass
0.2044g
204.224 g/mol

 (1:1) MOLE RATIO = Mole NaOH = Mole KHP

0.001 mol NaOH = 0.001 mol KHP
Concentration = Mole
Volume
0.001 mol
0.02376 L

 Concentration of NaOH = 0.0421 molL-1

NOTE: Standardization of sodium hydroxide was determining its concentration.

Standardisation of sodium hydroxide was produced by suitable dilution of 5mL of 2.0M of
NaOH. 5mL of NaOH was obtained from this calculation:
C1V1= C2V2
2.0 M × V1 = 0.04 M ×0.25 L
V1 = 0.01÷2 M
V1 = 0.005 mL = 5mL
So 5mL of NaOH needed to prepare the 250 mL titrant.
After finding out that 5mL was needed, it was then put in a 250 mL volumetric flask mixed
with distilled water, and then titrated with primary standard (KHP). The titration volume
obtained from the burette reading when reaction has reached the endpoint is then used as our
volume to find out NaOH concentration since it was our standard solution.
PART 2: The determination of Potassium Hydrogen Phthalate in an Impure Sample

Method

1. Quantitatively transfer you’re impure sample of KHP (sample 67) into 100 mL
volumetric flask and make up to the mark with distilled water.
2. Pipette a 25.00mL aliquot of the unknown KHP solution into a 250 mL conical flask.
3. Add 2 drops of phenolthalein indicator.
4. Titrate with the standardised NaOH solution until the pink colour persists for
approximately 30 seconds.
5. Repeat this analysis in triplicate.
RESULT

FLASK TITRATION
VOLUME (mL)
1 8.11
2 8.07
3 8.01

 AVERAGE TITRATION VOLUME = 8.06 mL

Calculate the concentration of the unknown KHP sample, the error in the concentration
and hence state the purity of the KHP sample (expressed as %w/w).

C1V1 = C2V2
-l
0.0421 molL × 0.00806 L = C2 × 0.025 L
C2 = 0.0421 molL-1 × 0.00806 L
0.025 L

 Conc( KHP) = 0.01358 molL-1

ERROR IN CONCENTRATION
PURITY OF THE KHP SAMPLE

Concentration = 0.01358 molL-1 Volume = 100 mL = 0.1L

Mole(KHP) = Concentration × Volume

Mole = 0.01358 molL-1 × 0.1 L

0.001358 mol

Mass = Mole (KHP) × Molar Mass (KHP)

0.001358 mol × 204.224 gmol-1
0.2773 g

Weight Percent (w/w) = Mass of solute

Mass of solution
0.2773g
1g
27.73 %
NOTE: The last part of this experiment was determining the concentration of KHP in an
impure sample. In my case sample 67 was assigned to me. After standardisation of sodium
hydroxide and finding out its concentration it was then easier to determine the concentration
of KHP. This was also simpler then I imagined as reaction was 1:1 mole ratio. After
preparing my primary standard solution it was then titrated with the sodium hydroxide
solution. There was an average of 8.06 mL of NaOH needed to neutralise the impure KHP
solution. This result was then used (as shown in the above calculations) to determine the
Molarity of the impure sample of KHP.

DISCUSSION

Other analytical methods can be used for the analysis of the KHP solution such as Precision
Coulometry or by Precipitation such that, reacting it with something which forms a
precipitate and then weighing the precipitate and comparing it to stoichometric ratios to give
the amount of KHP. Other methods can be used but volumetric titration is the probably the
oldest and one of the most common methods used. When using titration method these are
advantages and disadvantages I came across:

ADVANTAGE DISADVANTAGE

Easy to do Takes a long time to do it.

Cheaper to use Might need a lot of practice before you’re

able to do it successfully to get accurate and
precise outcome.

You don’t have to be a genius to use only Instrument calibration and error must be
need practice a lot taken into consideration as it might affect
 outcome.

Instruments for use can easily be accessed.