Determination of phosphate precipitation as quinoline molybdophosphate

Discussion. When a solution of an orthophosphate is treated with a large excess of ammonium molybdate solution in the presence of nitric acid at a temperature of 20-45 °C, a precipitate is obtained, which after washing is converted into ammonium molybdophosphate with the composition (NH4)3[P04,12Mo03]. This may be titrated with standard sodium hydroxide solution using phenolph-thalein as indicator, but the end point is rather poor due to the liberation of ammonia. If, however, the ammonium molybdate is replaced by a reagent containing sodium molybdate and quinoline, then quinoline molybdophosphate is precipitated which can be isolated and titrated with standard sodium hydroxide  

The main advantages over the ammonium molybdophosphate method are (1) quinoline molybdophosphate is less soluble and has a constant composition, and (2) quinoline is a sufficiently weak base not to interfere in the titration. 

Calcium, iron, magnesium, alkali metals, and citrates do not affect the analysis. Ammonium salts interfere and must be eliminated by means of sodium nitrite or sodium hypobromite. The hydrochloric acid normally used in the analysis may be replaced by an equivalent amount of nitric acid without any influence on the course of the reaction. Sulphuric acid leads to high and erratic results and its use should be avoided. 

The method may be standardised, if desired, with pure potassium dihydrogen-orthophosphate (see below) sufficient 1 1 hydrochloric acid must be present to prevent precipitation of quinoline molybdate the molybdophosphate complex is readily formed at a concentration of 20 mL of concentrated hydrochloric acid per 100 mL of solution especially when warm, and precipitation of the quinoline salt should take place slowly from boiling solution. A blank determination should always be made it is mostly due to silica. 

Solutions required. Sodium molybdate solution. Prepare a 15 per cent solution of sodium molybdate, Na2Mo04,2H20. Store in a polythene bottle. 

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