What is Precipitation Titration?
Precipitation titration is a type of titration which involves the formation of precipitate during the titration technique.
In precipitation titration, the titrant reacts with the analyte and forms an insoluble substance called a precipitate. It continues till the last amount of analyte is consumed.
Table of Contents
- Precipitation Titration Example
- Types of Precipitation Titration
- Recommended Videos
- Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
It is a titrimetric method which involves the formation of precipitates during the experiment of titration. The titrant reacts with the analyte and forms an insoluble substance. The titration is continued till the last drop of the analyte is consumed. When the titrant is excess it reacts with the indicator and signals to terminate the titration process.
Precipitation Titration Example
Here we have discussed an example of precipitation titration.
Example – To determine the concentration of chloride ion in a certain solution we can titrate this solution with silver nitrate solution (whose concentration is known). The chemical reaction occurs as follows:
Ag+(aq) + Cl–(aq)→ AgCl(s).
AgCl in the form of a white precipitate can be seen settled at the bottom of the flask during titration. The quantity of silver ion used to the equivalence point is equal to the quantity of chloride ion which was originally present.
To calculate the number of moles of chloride ion or silver ion we can use n = cV …(molarity definition)
To calculate the volume of the added solution or molar concentration of ion the corresponding values of either of the ions should be known.
Where n is the number of moles, c is the concentration and V is the volume in dm3.
Types of Precipitation Titration
Volhard’s method
This method involves the titration of bromides, iodides, and chlorides, in an acidic medium. The chloride in the solution is converted to silver chloride when reacted with excess silver nitrate solution. The leftover silver nitrate is estimated against potassium thiocyanate solution. When all thiocyanate consumes all the silver, the excess of thiocyanate is made to react with an indicator. It gives a red colour on reacting with ferric ammonium sulfate indicator and a ferrous thiocyanate complex is formed.
Read more: Volhard Method
Fajan’s method
This method uses the reaction between the precipitate formed and indicator. The indicator used is dichlorofluorescein which acts as an anion in solution. In chloride solution, due to excess chloride ions, they form the primary layer of the precipitate. The second layer is formed by the cations of sodium. The reaction ends with the silver ion in excess. Therefore the positively charged silver ion becomes the primary layer and attracts indicator to form a second layer. The colour of the indicator signals the end of the reaction.
Mohr’s method
This method is used to determine chlorides in a neutral solution. The chromate ion in acidic conditions is protonated to form chromic acid. Therefore does not produce a precipitate. Highly alkaline solutions result in forming the silver hydroxide. This formation results in brown colour and this infers the endpoint.
Recommended Videos
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
Why do precipitation reactions occur?
When a solution containing a particular cation (a positively charged ion) is combined with another solution containing a certain anion (a negatively charged ion), the formation of an insoluble compound can often occur which is called precipitate. A precipitate is considered the solid that divides.
Is precipitation a sign of a chemical reaction?
The formation of a precipitate also suggests the presence of a chemical reaction. When a silver nitrate solution is poured into a sodium chloride solution, a chemical reaction occurs, producing a white silver chloride precipitate.
What is an example of the formation of precipitate?
When a silver nitrate solution is poured into a sodium chloride solution, a chemical reaction occurs, producing a white silver chloride precipitate. A yellow lead(II) iodide precipitate is formed when the potassium iodide solution reacts with the lead(II) nitrate solution.
Is Salt a precipitate?
The insoluble salt falling out of the solution is referred to as the precipitate, hence the name of the reaction. Precipitation reactions in the solution can help determine the identity of different ions. Water-soluble salts are not precipitates.
What are the applications of precipitation titration?
Precipitation Titrations help to find out the amount of salt content in food and beverages and analyse drugs and halide ions In solution.
To learn more about the precipitation titration along with the detailed explanation of the different types of precipitation titration method, register with BYJU’S.
Other important links:
| Precipitation reaction | Chemical indicators |
Good description ..thanks so much.