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The Titration of Acetic Acid in Vinegar: CHEM 122L General Chemistry Laboratory Revision 1.4
The Titration of Acetic Acid in Vinegar: CHEM 122L General Chemistry Laboratory Revision 1.4
In this laboratory exercise we will determine the percentage Acetic Acid (CH3CO2H) in Vinegar. We will do this by Titrating the Acetic Acid present with a Strong Base; Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH). The Endpoint of the Titration will be detected using a Phenolphthalein indicator; an acid-base indicator that changes color from clear to pink in going from its acidic form to its basic form. Acetic Acid (fr. Latin acetum for vinegar) is the main component of Vinegar. It is a carbon based compound with a single ionizable proton, making it an organic acid of the larger class of organic acids called Carboxylic Acids; organic compounds with a COOH functional moeity.
Alcoholic solutions containing less than 18% Grain Alcohol become Vinegar when airborne bacteria oxidize the Alcohol into Acetic Acid: CH3CH2OH(aq) + [O] CH3CO2H(aq)
(Eq. 1)
(Here, [O] is a general notation for any oxidizing agent.) For instance, Cider Vinegar is produced from fermented apples. Balsamic Vinegar is prepared from the must of white grapes. White Vinegar is prepared from distilled alcohol. Vinegars are used for a variety of purposes; cooking, cleaning, pickling and gardening. Typically the Acetic Acid content of a vinegar will vary from about 5-8% for Table Vinegars to about 18% for Pickling Vinegars. (Pure Acetic Acid is referred to as Glacial Acetic Acid.)
Different Vinegars (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Essig-1.jpg)
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We will determine the Acetic Acid content of a commercially prepared White Vinegar solution using a type of Volumetric Analysis called Titrimetry. Volumetric Analyses were late in being developed because accurate methods for measuring volume are difficult to come by.
According to Francis Holmes book on bleaching, the value of pearl ashes was measured in 1756 by noting the number of teaspoonfuls of dilute nitric acid which had to be added before effervescence ceased. This was the first clear instance of using a volumetric approach to chemical analysis ... The Development of Modern Chemisty by Aaron J. Ihde
As noted, a volumetric analysis involves measuring the volume of a solution of known concentration that is needed to completely react with an analyte. In modern cases, a Buret, rather than a teaspoon, is used to deliver the Titrant into the Analyte Solution.
The Titration is performed by slowly adding the titrant to the analyte solution via the buret until an Endpoint is reached. The Endpoint is represented by some distinct physical change in the
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analyte solution; typically an Indicator color change, or the cessation of effervescence in the case of the pearl ash titration above. If the indicator is chosen well, the Endpoint will represent the Equivalence Point of the Titration Reaction; the point at which the added amount of titrant is stoichiometrically equivalent to the amount of analyte. By knowing the concentration and volume of the titratnt used, the number of moles titrant can be determined. The reaction stoichiometry then allows us to determine the amount of analyte present.
Suppose we Titrate a solution of Sulfuric Acid (H2SO4) with a Standard 0.1054 M Solution of Sodium Hydroxide. The titration reaction is: H2SO4(aq) + 2 NaOH(aq) Na2SO4(aq) + 2 H2O
Further, suppose 12.56 mL of titrant is required to reach the Endpoint. Then, # moles titrant used = (0.1054 M) x (0.01256 L) = 0.001324 mole NaOH and: # mole H2SO4 = Or, in grams: # grams H2SO4 = 0.0006619 x (98.08 g/mole) = 0.06492 g
x 0.001324 mole NaOH = 0.0006619 mole H2SO4
In our case, the Analyte is the Acetic Acid in the Vinegar and the Titrant is a dilute solution of the strong base Sodium Hydroxide. The titration reaction is: CH3CO2H(aq) + OH-(aq) CH3CO2-(aq) + H2O
(Eq. 2)
The Endpoint of the titration will be detected by observing the color change for a Phenolphthalein indicator added to the Vinegar. As a Weak Acid, Acetic Acid, only partially ionizes in Water: CH3CO2H(aq) + H2O CH3CO2-(aq) + H3O+(aq)
(Eq. 3)
Note, H2O is included in this expression because, although it is a liquid, it is not a Pure Liquid. However, because the H2O concentration is large and relatively constant, we frequently define a new constant, Ka, the Acid Dissociation Constant, as: Ka = Kc [H2O] =
(Eq. 5)
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For Acetic Acid, this constant has a value of Ka = 1.8 x 10-5, indicating only a small percentage of the Acetic Acid is dissociated in solution. At the Equivalence Point of the Titration, we have a solution which contains predominately the Acetate Ion (CH3CO2-); see (Eq. 2). Because Acetic Acid is a Weak Acid, its Conjugate Base, the Acetate Ion, is also a Weak Base. This means it will partially Hydrolyze in Water to form OH-: CH3CO2-(aq) + H2O CH3CO2H(aq) + OH-(aq)
(Eq. 6)
And, again, because the H2O concentration is large and relatively fixed, we can define a Base Dissociation Constant Kb as: Kb = Kc [H2O] = For the Acetate Ion, Kb = 5.56 x 10-10. This is important because it allows us to calculate the expected pH at the Equivalence Point of the Titration. For a Titration that results in a 0.05 M solution of Acetate Ion, we have: CH3CO20.05 M -xM 0.05 x M CH3CO2H 0M +xM xM OH0M +xM xM
(Eq. 8)
I C E
Inserting these results into the expression for Kb results in: 5.56 x 10-10 = Solving, we obtain x = 5.27 x 10-6 M. Or, [OH-] = 5.27 x 10-6 M at the Equivalence Point. The pOH of this solution is given by: pOH = - log [OH-] = - log (5.27 x 10-6) = 5.28 which allows us to calculate the pH: pH = 14 - pOH = 14 - 5.28 = 8.72
(Eq. 12) (Eq. 11) (Eq. 10) (Eq. 9)
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In any titration we wish to have the Equivalence Point equal to the Endpoint. For our case, this means we should select an Indicator that changes color near pH = 8.72. (See appendix.) Phenolphthalein will suffice; changing from clear to pink near pH = 8. One final point needs to be addressed. How do we know the concentration of the OH- titrant? Although Sodium Hydroxide is a solid, preparation of solutions of accurately known concentration is difficult. The base is very hygroscopic. Additionally, the resulting solution tends to absorb Carbon Dioxide from the air, which neutralizes some of the base. The solution is simple enough, we Standardize the NaOH solution by using it to Titrate a solution of Potassium Hydrogen Phthalate (KHC8H4O4), which is frequently abbreviated KHP. Here the KHP is acting as a Primary Standard. Primary Standards are extremely stable solids that can be weighed out very accurately and used to Standardize titrant solutions whose concentration is not accurately known.
The Neutralization reaction for KHP by NaOH is in a one-one mole ratio, so the Titration Reaction is: KHP(aq) + NaOH(aq) KNaP(aq) + H2O
(Eq. 13)
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By knowing the mass of the KHP, we can determine the number of moles NaOH used in the titration and thus determine its concentration.
Suppose 1.0221g of KHP is titrated with 37.80mL of NaOH. What is the concentration of the NaOH Standard Solution? # mole KHP = (1.0221 g) x (mole KHP / 204.23 g) = 0.005005 mole KHP # mole NaOH = 0.005005 mole KHP x (1 mole NaOH / 1 mole KHP) = 0.005005 mole NaOH Molarity = = = 0.1324 M
Thus, we will first prepare a solution of NaOH and Standardize it against KHP. Then, we will use this Standard Solution to Titrate the Vinegar to a Phenolphthalein Endpoint. This will allow us to determine the number of moles Acetic Acid in the Vinegar. And, this can be used to determine the Percentage Acetic Acid.
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Pre-Lab Questions
1. 2. What volume of 6M NaOH solution is required to make 400 mL of 0.1M NaOH. Suppose 0.8532g of KHP is titrated with 27.54 mL of NaOH. What is the concentration of the NaOH solution? A Phosphoric Acid (H3PO4) is titrated with a 0.1214 M NaOH Standard Solution. 41.56 mL of the Standard is required to reach the Endpoint. The Titration Reaction is: H3PO4(aq) + 3 OH-(aq) What is the mass of Phosphoric Acid in the solution? PO43-(aq) + 3 H2O
3.
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Standardization of NaOH
1. 2. Weigh out ~0.715g of KHP on the glazed papers provided. Transfer this to a 250 mL Erlenmeyer Flask. Wash any residual KHP off the glazed paper into the flask. Dissolve in 50 mL deionized Water. Add a few drops Phenolphthalein. Titrate to the Endpoint with your NaOH solution. Your instructor will indicate how to properly use the Buret. For the 50mL burets used in this titration, all volume readings can be made with a precision of 0.02 mL. Check with your instructor to make sure you are reading the buret with sufficient precision. Repeat this process for a total of three trials. Check with your instructor to make sure the results are sufficiently close to each other. If the results are not sufficiently close together, repeat the titration a fourth time.
3. 4.
5.
Titration of Vinegar
1. Obtain about 25 mL of Vinegar in a small beaker. Be sure to record the brand and Percentage Acetic Acid reported by the manufacturer. Use a pipet to transfer 4 mL of the Vinegar to a 250 mL Erlenmeyer Flask. Dilute this to about 50 mL with Water. Add a few drops Phenolphthalein. Titrate to the Endpoint with your NaOH solution. Repeat this process for a total of three trials. Check with your instructor to make sure the results are sufficiently close to each other. If the results are not sufficiently close together, repeat the titration a fourth time.
2.
3. 4. 5.
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Data Analysis
1. Determine the Molarity of the Standard NaOH solution for each of the three trials in the Standardization procedure. Average the results. Determine the mass of Acetic Acid in the Vinegar solution for each of the three trials in the Titration procedure. Average the results. Determine the mass of the Vinegar solution used for each titration. The density of Vinegar is about 1.005 g/mL. Determine the Percentage Acetic Acid in the Vinegar. Calculate the Percentage Difference between your result and that reported by the manufacturer.
2.
3.
4. 5.
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Initially, we start with a system that contains only Acetic Acid and Water and their ionization products, all at equilibrium: HAc(aq) H2O H+(aq) + Ac-(aq) H+(aq) + OH-(aq)
As Hydroxide is added via the buret, Acetic Acid is converted to Acetate and these equilibria must be re-established. We can use Titrator to determine the concentration of each species once the reactions come to equilibrium. In particular, we wish to determine the equilibrium concentration of H+ at each point during the titration; a plot of pH versus volume Hydroxide added constitutes the Titration Curve.
We now examine how Titrator handles these titration problems. Every time titrant (OH-) is added to the system (HAc), Titrator resolves the equilibrium problem and displays the results in a spreadsheet. The results can also be displayed graphically or downloaded for further analysis.
To establish our Titrator definition we will select HAc as a Component; we start with a known Formal Total concentration of this species. H2O is another natural choice for the Components; its Free concentration is fixed at 55.5M. Also, selecting H+ as a component makes sense because its removal from HAc and H2O forms both the Ac- and the OH-. However, we want to titrate the system with OH-, which means that this must be a Component. If OH- is to be our Component choice (why cant both H+ and OH- be selected as components?), then we will no longer able to form Ac-. So, in order to select HAc, H2O and OH- as Components, we must rewrite the first equilibrium in such a way as to form Ac-. We will do this by compounding both of our equilibria in the following fashion: HAc(aq) + H+(aq) + OHHAc(aq) + OH-(aq) H+(aq) + Ac-(aq)
(aq)
H2O
Ac-(aq) + H2O
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Now, all is right with the World; OH- can be used to form Ac- from HAc. It can also form H+ from H2O. And, now, we have not over specified the system with too many components. So, the Titrator definition for this system, starting with 0.1F HAc, will be: Component HAc H2O OHSpecies H+ AcType Total Free Total Dissolved/Ppt Dissolved Dissolved Total M 0.1 55.5 0 logK -14 9.23
Coefficients: OHHAc H2O +1 +1 -1
Charge 0 0 -1
Coefficients:
-1 +1
Now, lets titrate the system with Hydroxide. Click on Titrate. Specify the Titrant composition: Titrant Composition Primary: Concentration: OH0.1 M
Set Experimental Volumes Initial Soln Vol: 25 mL Titrant Vol/Addition: 0.5 mL Number of Points: 100 Now click Titrate and display the H+ concentration as the 2nd Species. Questions: 2. Examine the Results Table and determine the pH at the following volumes added: 12.5 mL 25.0 mL (Equivalence Pt.) 50.0 mL
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How does the pH at the Equivalence Pt. compare with the transition pH for the indicator Phenolphthalein? Is this a good Indicator choice for this titration? Explain. 3. Use Titrators Export feature (under the File tab) to save the Results table.
Now we can use Titator to rapidly generate the titration curve for Acetic Acid systems that become more and more dilute. Basically, in order for a titration to be effective, the pH of the system must change dramatically as the equivalence point is approached. This rapid change in pH will cause an appropriately chosen indicator to change color.
If the pH change is not abrupt over a small volume range near the equivalence point, then the titration will not be effective because the color change of the indicator will be diffuse. So, we want to know if the concentration of the Acetic Acid affects the abruptness of the pH change near the equivalence point as the titration is carried-out.
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4.
Now change the initial concentration of Acetic Acid and the Hydroxide titrant concentrations to the following values. Generate the Titration Curve for each case. (All other titration parameters should be the same as above.) Total M for HAc 0.01 0.001 0.0001 0.00001 0.000001 Export each Results. Titrant Comp. Conc. 0.01 0.001 0.0001 0.00001 0.000001
5.
Upload each case into Excel and plot each Titration Curve simultaneously on the same graph. Note: i) When uploading the files into Excel, indicate that the Results files are Space Delimited.
Volume HAc OHH2O H+ Ac0.00E+00 9.87E-02 7.72E-12 1.00E+00 1.29E-03 1.29E-03 5.00E-04 9.55E-02 1.60E-11 1.00E+00 6.27E-04 2.59E-03 1.00E-03 9.19E-02 2.70E-11 1.00E+00 3.70E-04 4.22E-03 1.50E-03 8.84E-02 3.94E-11 1.00E+00 2.54E-04 5.91E-03
ii) You will have to manually select the columns containing the H+ concentrations and the Vol. Titrant added. iii) You will next need to have Excel calculate the pH from the H+ data.
Volume H+ pH 0.00E+00 1.29E-03 5.00E-04 6.27E-04 1.00E-03 3.70E-04 1.50E-03 2.54E-04
iv) Finally, you must tabulate the pH results together in order to plot them.
Volume pH (0.1M) pH (0.01M) 0.00E+00 2.89 3.39 5.00E-04 3.20 3.51 1.00E-03 3.43 3.61 1.50E-03 3.60 3.71
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6.
Qualitatively, what is happening to the Titration Curve? Do we have to worry about our Indicator choice? Will phenolphthalein be an appropriate indicator choice for each of these titrations? Explain.
Now we want to address what happens to the titration curve as the strength of the acid being titrated is decreased. Do we need to worry about the titration becoming ineffective.
7. Return to a system that is 0.1M HAc being titrated with 0.1M OH-. Decrease the equilibrium constant for the acid. Do this by changing the logK for the formation of Acfrom 9.23 to: 8.23, 6.23, 4.23 Perform Step #5 for this data. Comment on the results.