Acid-base reactions using coulometric titrations

Coupling the mediator s oxidation or reduction to an acid-base, precipitation, or complexation reaction involving the analyte allows for the coulometric titration of analytes that are not easily oxidized or reduced. For example, when using H2O as a mediator, oxidation at the anode produces H3O+... 

If the oxidation or reduction of H2O is carried out externally using the generator cell shown in Figure 11.25, then H3O+ or OH can be dispensed selectively into a solution containing a basic or acidic analyte. The resulting reaction is identical to that in an acid-base titration. Coulometric acid-base titrations have been used for... 

Representative Examples of Coulometric Titrations Using Acid-Base, Complexation, and Precipitation Reactions... 

Coulometric titration procedures have been developed for a great number of oxidation-reduction, acid-base, precipitation, and complexation reactions. The sample systems as well as the electrochemical intemediates used for them are summarized in Table 4.1, and indicate the diversity and range of application for the method. An additional specialized form of coulometric titration involves the use of a spent Karl Fischer solution as the electrochemical intermediate for the determination of water at extremely low levels. For such a system the anode reaction regenerates iodine, which is the crucial component of the Karl Fischer titrant. This then reacts with the water in the sample system according to the... 

Titrations are widely used in analytical chemistry to determine acids, bases, oxidants, reductants, metal ions, proteins, and many other species. Titrations are based on a reaction between the analyte and a standard reagent known as the titrant. The reaction is of known and reproducible stoichiometry. The volume, or the mass, of the titrant needed to react essentially completely with the analyte is determined and used to obtain the quantity of analyte. A volume-based titration is shown in this figure, in which the standard solution is added from a buret, and the reaction occurs in the Erlenmeyer flask. In some titrations, known as coulometric titrations, the quantity of charge needed to completely consume the analyte is obtained. In any titration, the point of chemical equivalence, experimentally called the end point, is signaled by an indicator color change or a change in an instrumental response. 

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