Coulometric titrations endpoint detection

Some method of signaling is required to indicate when the amount of titrant generated is equivalent to the amount of unknown present, and all of the endpoint detection methods used in volumetric titrimetry are, in principle, applicable to coulometric titrations. A list that covers most of the published coulo-metric titration procedures is given in Table 25.2. It is beyond our scope here to describe any of these in detail because each of these methods is a subject for discussion in its own right. Discussions of the equations for a number of types of titration curves are found in texts by Lingane [15], Butler [16], and Laitinen and Harris [17]. 

Different experimental approaches are possible with the same endpoint detection method. For example, the titration curve can be plotted and the endpoint determined graphically. First and second derivative curves can be plotted or the derivatives obtained electronically. Another approach is to titrate to a predetermined endpoint signal. This technique is very useful with coulometric titrations, and many examples, especially those involving potentiometric endpoint detection, are found in the literature. The most widely applicable way... 

Table 25.2 Selected Endpoint Detection Methods for Coulometric Titrations...

The uses of constant-current coulometry for the determination of drugs in biological fluids are few, basically due to sensitivity restriction. Monforte and Purdy [46] have reported an assay for two allylic barbituric acid derivatives, sodium seconal and sodium sandoptal, with electrogenerated bromine as the titrant and biamperometry for endpoint detection. Quantitative bromination required an excess of bromine hence back titration with standard arsenite was performed. The assay required the formation of a protein-free filtrate of serum with tungstic acid, extraction into chloroform, and sample cleanup by back extraction, followed by coulometric titration with electrogenerated bromine. The protein precipitation step resulted in losses of compound due to coprecipitation. The recoveries of sodium seconal and sodium sandoptal carried through the serum assay were approximately 81 and 88%, respectively. Samples in the concentration range 7.5-50 pg/mL serum were analyzed by this procedure. 

Figure 4.8 Cell system for coulometric titration by a platinum generator electrode and an isolated auxiliary electrode system includes provision for potentiometric endpoint detection.

Figure 4.9 Coulometric titration cell with generator [II (generator anode, 0.7 x 0.7 cm)] and isolated auxiliary [I (generator cathode, 0.7 x 0.7 cm)] electrodes on the left side and a pair of identical platinum electrodes [III, IV (1.4 x 1.8 cm and 2.5 X 1.8 cm)] on the right for dual-polarized electrode amperometric endpoint detection.

Because the generator electrodes must have a significant voltage applied across them to produce a constant current, the placement of the indicator electrodes (especially if a potentiometric detection system is to be used) is critical to avoid induced responses from the generator electrodes. Their placement should be adjusted such that both the indicator electrode and the reference electrode occupy positions on an equal potential contour. When dual-polarized amperometric electrodes are used, similar care is desirable in their placement to avoid interference from the electrolysis electrodes. These two considerations have prompted the use of visual or spectrophotometric endpoint detection in some applications of coulometric titrations. 

The approved variations [14] in the Karl Fischer method include volumetric titration methods to either a visual (excess iodine or addition of an indicator) or volta-metric endpoint detection method. The visual or voltametric endpoint methods usually require 30-40 mg of sample for analysis for freeze-dried biological products containing from 1.0% to 3.0% residual moisture. Coulometric Karl Fischer instruments generate the iodine from potassium iodide for water titration at the electrodes. Only 10-20 mg of freeze-dried sample is required for accurate analysis. 

Assuming impurities can be satisfactorily pretitrated, the lower limit of the amount of sample that can be titrated is governed primarily by the sensitivity of the available endpoint detection system. Very small currents, such as 0.1 /xA, can be measured accurately (actually, currents smaller than 60 electrons per second have been measured and the time of electrogeneration can be measured accurately. With conventional amperometric and potentiometric endpoint indication, coulometric titrations in typical solution volumes cannot be accurately made at generating currents of less than about 100 A. 

Coulometers for this type of work typically cost about 3000, which is roughly the price of a good potentiostat and integrator. Sampling systems, however, may double the price. These costs may be contrasted with the few hundred dollars needed for a constant-current supply for simple coulometric titrations (although some sort of endpoint detecting device is also usually needed). 

Figure 15.20 Apparatus for coulometric titration with potentiometric endpoint detection.

Potentiometric endpoint detection is frequently used in automatic constant current coulometric titrators (coulometric titrations). 

Different methods that are worked out to measure free chlorine concentration mostly take advantage of its strong oxidizing character. A broad scale of volumetric and coulometric titrations with different endpoint detection, as well as voltammetric as colorimetric methods, have been worked out. In practice, water analysis often involves classical titrimetric procedures, such as titration with arsenous acid or an appropriate iodometric approach. 

There are two types of Karl Fisher titrations volumetric and coulometric. Volumetric titration is used to determine relatively large amounts of water (1 to 100. ig) and can be performed using the single- or two-component system. Most commercially available titrators make use of the one-component titrant, which can be purchased in two strengths 2 mg of water per milliliter of titrant and the 5 mg of water per milliliter of titrant. The choice of concentration is dependent on the amount of water in the sample and any sample size limitations. In both cases, the sample is typically dissolved in a methanol solution. The iodine/SCVpyridine (imidazole) required for the reaction is titrated into the sample solution either manually or automatically. The reaction endpoint is generally detected bivoltametrically. 

The 21 formed in the second reaction is determined either by visual chemical titration with a reagent such as sodium thiosulfate in the presence of a suitable endpoint indicator or by amperometric, coulometric, or photometric titration methods. The most sensitive KF methods for the measurement of iodine are coulometric. For both the volumetric-amperometric and coulometric methods the endpoint is detected by a pair of platinum electrodes called the indicator electrodes. An electrical potential (100-400 mV) is applied across the electrodes to balance the circuit and the endpoint is reached when the concentration of I2 ( 50pmoll ) depolarizes the cathode deflecting a galvanometer. The volumetric method measures the amount of standardized reagent necessary to depolarize the platinum electrodes. The coulometric method utilizes, in addition to the indicator electrodes, a second pair of platinum electrodes (generator electrodes) that electrolytically convert the 1 to I2. The current consumed in this process is used to calculate the amount of water using the equation that describes Faraday s laws of electrolysis. 

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