Redox titration, or oxidation-reduction titration, is a quantitative analytical
method used to determine the concentration of an unknown solution by
reacting it with a solution of known concentration. This method is based on
the transfer of electrons between the oxidizing agent and the reducing
agent. Below is a comprehensive overview of redox titration, including
preparation, procedure, and calculations.
1. Understanding Redox Reactions
Oxidation: The loss of electrons or an increase in oxidation state.
Reduction: The gain of electrons or a decrease in oxidation state.
Oxidizing Agent: A substance that gains electrons and is reduced.
Reducing Agent: A substance that loses electrons and is oxidized.
2. Common Redox Titrations
Permanganate Titration: Often used to determine the concentration of
reducing agents (e.g., iron(II) ions, oxalic acid) using potassium
permanganate (KMnO₄) as the titrant.
Iodine Titration: Used to determine the concentration of oxidizing agents
(e.g., ascorbic acid) using iodine (I₂) as the titrant.
3. Preparing Solutions for Redox Titration
Example 1: Preparing a 0.020 M KMnO₄ Solution
Desired Concentration: 0.020 M
Volume: 1 L
Molar Mass of KMnO₄: 158.04 g/mol
Calculation: [ \text{Mass} = 0.020 , \text{mol/L} \times 158.04 ,
\text{g/mol} \times 1 , \text{L} = 3.1608 , \text{g} ]
Procedure:
Weigh 3.1608 g of KMnO₄.
Dissolve in distilled water in a volumetric flask to a final volume of 1 L.
Example 2: Preparing a 0.100 M Iron(II) Sulfate Solution
Desired Concentration: 0.100 M
Volume: 250 mL
Molar Mass of FeSO₄·7H₂O: 278.02 g/mol
Calculation: [ \text{Mass} = 0.100 , \text{mol/L} \times 278.02 ,
\text{g/mol} \times 0.250 , \text{L} = 6.9505 , \text{g} ]
Procedure:
Weigh 6.9505 g of FeSO₄·7H₂O.
Dissolve in distilled water in a volumetric flask to a final volume of 250 mL.
4. Performing the Redox Titration
Setup
Apparatus: Burette, pipette, conical flask, and a white tile (to observe color
changes).
Indicator: Depending on the titration, you may need an indicator. For
permanganate titrations, KMnO₄ itself acts as an indicator because it
changes color from purple to colorless when reduced.
Procedure
Pipette a known volume of the analyte solution (e.g., Fe²⁺ solution) into a
conical flask.
Add a few drops of sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) to provide an acidic medium, which
is necessary for the reaction.
Fill the burette with the titrant solution (e.g., KMnO₄).
Titrate by slowly adding the titrant to the analyte while continuously swirling
the flask.
End Point: The endpoint is reached when a persistent color change occurs
(e.g., the solution turns light pink due to excess KMnO₄).
5. Calculating Concentration
To calculate the concentration of the unknown solution, use the
stoichiometry of the redox reaction.
Example Reaction
For the reaction between KMnO₄ and Fe²⁺ in acidic medium: [ \
text{MnO}_4^- + 5\text{Fe}^{2+} + 8\text{H}^+ \rightarrow \
text{Mn}^{2+} + 5\text{Fe}^{3+} + 4\text{H}_2\text{O} ]
From the balanced equation, 1 mole of KMnO₄ reacts with 5 moles of Fe²⁺.
Calculation Steps
Determine moles of KMnO₄ used:
