TITRATION

Titration is an analytical technique used to calculate the amount of a substance dissolved in a sample. It is based on a reaction between the substance (analyte) and a chemical of known strength that reacts with it (titrant). A typical reaction would be the addition, using a glass burette, of an alkali solution of known strength such as Sodium Hydroxide solution with the acetic acid in vinegar to determine the acidity of the vinegar.

The titrant is usually added until the reaction is complete, the endpoint. The endpoint of the reaction has to be obvious and easy to read. Before the introduction of automated titration systems this could only be done by observing the change in colour reaction of an indicator in the solution. Different indicators react at different endpoints, and a very wide variety can be used. Examples include Methyl Orange, bromocrescol purple, iodine, potassium permanganate and many, many more.

The amount of titrant added is noted at the endpoint and used in a calculation based on the chemical reaction taking place and the amount of sample taken for the test. A result can then be calculated accurately.

The introduction of automated endpoint determination based on electrical measurement of the reaction using electrodes has made the process easier and often more accurate. Further developments in burette technology have allowed automation using pumps and increased the accuracy of titrant addition. By combining endpoint measurements and the automation of titrant addition with appropriate software the whole process can now be fully automated.

Mathematical calculations can also be used to determine the endpoint by looking at a graphical plot of a whole titration curve. The use of modern titration algorithms guarantee the correct result. The calculated endpoint result from the graphical plot of a titration curve is called the equivalence point.

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