4.5 Quantitative Chemical Analysis

Learning Objectives

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

  • Describe the fundamental aspects of titrations and gravimetric analysis.
  • Perform stoichiometric calculations using typical titration and gravimetric data.

In the 18th century, the strength (actually the concentration) of vinegar samples was determined by noting the amount of potassium carbonate, K2CO3, which had to be added, a little at a time, before bubbling ceased. The greater the mass of potassium carbonate added to reach the point where the bubbling ended, the more concentrated the vinegar.

We now know that the effervescence that occurred during this process was due to reaction with acetic acid, CH3CO2H, the compound primarily responsible for the odor and taste of vinegar. Acetic acid reacts with potassium carbonate according to the following equation:

2CH3CO2H(aq) + 2K2CO3(s) ⟶ 2 KCH3CO2(aq) + CO2(g) + H2O(l)

The bubbling was due to the production of CO2.

The test of vinegar with potassium carbonate is one type of quantitative analysis—the determination of the amount or concentration of a substance in a sample. In the analysis of vinegar, the concentration of the solute (acetic acid) was determined from the amount of reactant that combined with the solute present in a known volume of the solution. In other types of chemical analyses, the amount of a substance present in a sample is determined by measuring the amount of product that results.

Titration

The described approach to measuring vinegar strength was an early version of the analytical technique known as titration analysis. A typical titration analysis involves the use of a buret ((Figure)) to make incremental additions of a solution containing a known concentration of some substance (the titrant) to a sample solution containing the substance whose concentration is to be measured (the analyte). The titrant and analyte undergo a chemical reaction of known stoichiometry, and so measuring the volume of titrant solution required for complete reaction with the analyte (the equivalence point of the titration) allows calculation of the analyte concentration. The equivalence point of a titration may be detected visually if a distinct change in the appearance of the sample solution accompanies the completion of the reaction. The halt of bubble formation in the classic vinegar analysis is one such example, though, more commonly, special dyes called indicators are added to the sample solutions to impart a change in color at or very near the equivalence point of the titration. Equivalence points may also be detected by measuring some solution property that changes in a predictable way during the course of the titration. Regardless of the approach taken to detect a titration’s equivalence point, the volume of titrant actually measured is called the end point. Properly designed titration methods typically ensure that the difference between the equivalence and end points is negligible. Though any type of chemical reaction may serve as the basis for a titration analysis, the three described in this chapter (precipitation, acid-base, and redox) are most common. Additional details regarding titration analysis are provided in the chapter on acid-base equilibria.

 

(a) A student fills a buret in preparation for a titration analysis. (b) A typical buret permits volume measurements to the nearest 0.01 mL. (credit a: modification of work by Mark Blaser and Matt Evans; credit b: modification of work by Mark Blaser and Matt Evans)

Two pictures are shown. In a, a person is shown pouring a liquid from a small beaker into a buret. The person is wearing goggles and gloves as she transfers the solution into the buret. In b, a close up view of the markings on the side of the buret is shown. The markings for 10, 15, and 20 are clearly shown with horizontal rings printed on the buret. Between each of these whole number markings, half markings are also clearly shown with horizontal line segment markings.

Titration Analysis:

The end point in a titration of a 50.00-mL sample of aqueous HCl was reached by addition of 35.23 mL of 0.250 M NaOH titrant. The titration reaction is:

HCl(aq) +  NaOH(aq) ⟶ NaCl(aq) + H2O(l)

What is the molarity of the HCl?

Solution:

As for all reaction stoichiometry calculations, the key issue is the relation between the molar amounts of the chemical species of interest as depicted in the balanced chemical equation. The approach outlined in previous modules of this chapter is followed, with additional considerations required, since the amounts of reactants provided and requested are expressed as solution concentrations.

For this exercise, the calculation will follow the following outlined steps:

This figure shows four rectangles. The first is shaded lavender and is labeled, “Volume of N a O H.” This rectangle is followed by an arrow pointing right which is labeled, “Molar concentration,” to a second rectangle. This second rectangle is shaded pink and is labeled, “Moles of N a O H.” This rectangle is followed by an arrow pointing right which is labeled, “Stoichiometric factor,” to a third rectangle which is shaded pink and is labeled, “Moles of H C l.” This rectangle is followed by an arrow labeled, “Solution volume,” which points right to a fourth rectangle. This fourth rectangle is shaded lavender and is labeled, “Concentration of H C l.”

The molar amount of HCl is calculated to be:

Using the provided volume of HCl solution and the definition of molarity, the HCl concentration is:

Note: For these types of titration calculations, it is convenient to recognize that solution molarity is also equal to the number of millimoles of solute per milliliter of solution:

Using this version of the molarity unit will shorten the calculation by eliminating two conversion factors:

Check Your Learning:

A 20.00-mL sample of aqueous oxalic acid, H2C2O4, was titrated with a 0.09113-M solution of potassium permanganate, KMnO4.

2MnO4−(aq) + 5H2C2O4(aq) + 6H+(aq) ⟶ 10CO2(g) + 2Mn2+(aq) + 8H2O(l)

A volume of 23.24 mL was required to reach the end point. What is the oxalic acid molarity?

 

Answer:

0.2648 M

Gravimetric Analysis

A gravimetric analysis is one in which a sample is subjected to some treatment that causes a change in the physical state of the analyte that permits its separation from the other components of the sample. Mass measurements of the sample, the isolated analyte, or some other component of the analysis system, used along with the known stoichiometry of the compounds involved, permit calculation of the analyte concentration. Gravimetric methods were the first techniques used for quantitative chemical analysis, and they remain important tools in the modern chemistry laboratory.

The required change of state in a gravimetric analysis may be achieved by various physical and chemical processes. For example, the moisture (water) content of a sample is routinely determined by measuring the mass of a sample before and after it is subjected to a controlled heating process that evaporates the water. Also common are gravimetric techniques in which the analyte is subjected to a precipitation reaction of the sort described earlier in this chapter. The precipitate is typically isolated from the reaction mixture by filtration, carefully dried, and then weighed ((Figure)). The mass of the precipitate may then be used, along with relevant stoichiometric relationships, to calculate analyte concentration.

Precipitate may be removed from a reaction mixture by filtration.

A photo is shown of a flask and funnel used for filtration. The flask contains a slightly opaque liquid filtrate with a slight yellow tint. A funnel, which contains a bright yellow and orange material, sits atop the flask. The flask is held in place by a clamp and is connected to a vacuum line. The connection between the funnel and flask is sealed with a rubber bung or gasket.

Gravimetric Analysis:

A 0.4550-g solid mixture containing MgSO4 is dissolved in water and treated with an excess of Ba(NO3)2, resulting in the precipitation of 0.6168 g of BaSO4.

MgSO4(aq) + Ba(NO3)2(aq) ⟶ BaSO4(s)+Mg(NO3)2(aq)

What is the concentration (mass percent) of MgSO4 in the mixture?

Solution:

The plan for this calculation is similar to others used in stoichiometric calculations, the central step being the connection between the moles of BaSO4 and MgSO4 through their stoichiometric factor. Once the mass of MgSO4 is computed, it may be used along with the mass of the sample mixture to calculate the requested percentage concentration.

This figure shows five rectangles. The first is shaded yellow and is labeled “Mass of B a S O subscript 4.” This rectangle is followed by an arrow pointing right to a second rectangle. The arrow is labeled, “Molar mass.” The second rectangle is shaded pink and is labeled, “Moles of B a S O subscript 4.” This rectangle is followed by an arrow pointing right to a third rectangle. The arrow is labeled, “Stoichiometric factor.” This third rectangle is shaded pink and is labeled, “Moles of M g S O subscript 4.” This rectangle is followed by an arrow labeled, “Molar mass,” which points downward to a fourth rectangle. This fourth rectangle is shaded yellow and is labeled, “Mass of M g S O subscript 4.” This rectangle is followed by an arrow labeled, “Sample mass,” which points left to a fifth rectangle. This fifth rectangle is shaded lavender and is labeled, “Percent M g S O subscript 4.

The mass of MgSO4 that would yield the provided precipitate mass is

The concentration of MgSO4 in the sample mixture is then calculated to be

Check Your Learning:

What is the percent of chloride ion in a sample if 1.1324 g of the sample produces 1.0881 g of AgCl when treated with excess Ag+?

Ag+(aq) + Cl−(aq)⟶AgCl(s)
Answer:

23.76%

The elemental composition of hydrocarbons and related compounds may be determined via a gravimetric method known as combustion analysis. In a combustion analysis, a weighed sample of the compound is heated to a high temperature under a stream of oxygen gas, resulting in its complete combustion to yield gaseous products of known identities. The complete combustion of hydrocarbons, for example, will yield carbon dioxide and water as the only products. The gaseous combustion products are swept through separate, preweighed collection devices containing compounds that selectively absorb each product ((Figure)). The mass increase of each device corresponds to the mass of the absorbed product and may be used in an appropriate stoichiometric calculation to derive the mass of the relevant element.

This schematic diagram illustrates the basic components of a combustion analysis device for determining the carbon and hydrogen content of a sample.

This diagram shows an arrow pointing from O subscript 2 into a tube that leads into a vessel containing a red material, labeled “Sample.” This vessel is inside a blue container with a red inner lining which is labeled “Furnace.” An arrow points from the tube to the right into the vessel above the red sample material. An arrow leads out of this vessel through a tube into a second vessel outside the furnace. An line points from this tube to a label above the diagram that reads “C O subscript 2, H subscript 2 O, O subscript 2, and other gases.” Many small green spheres are visible in the second vessel which is labeled below, “H subscript 2 O absorber such as M g ( C l O subscript 4 ) subscript 2.” An arrow points to the right through the vessel, and another arrow points right heading out of the vessel through a tube into a third vessel. The third vessel contains many small blue spheres. It is labeled “C O subscript 2 absorber such as N a O H.” An arrow points right through this vessel, and a final arrow points out of a tube at the right end of the vessel. Outside the end of this tube at the end of the arrow is the label, “O subscript 2 and other gases.”

Combustion Analysis:

Polyethylene is a hydrocarbon polymer used to produce food-storage bags and many other flexible plastic items. A combustion analysis of a 0.00126-g sample of polyethylene yields 0.00394 g of CO2 and 0.00161 g of H2O. What is the empirical formula of polyethylene?

Solution:

The primary assumption in this exercise is that all the carbon in the sample combusted is converted to carbon dioxide, and all the hydrogen in the sample is converted to water:

CxHy(s) + excess O2(g) ⟶ xCO2(g) + (y/2)H2O(g)

Note that a balanced equation is not necessary for the task at hand. To derive the empirical formula of the compound, only the subscripts x and y are needed.

First, calculate the molar amounts of carbon and hydrogen in the sample, using the provided masses of the carbon dioxide and water, respectively. With these molar amounts, the empirical formula for the compound may be written as described in the previous chapter of this text. An outline of this approach is given in the following flow chart:

This figure shows two flowcharts. The first row is a single flow chart. In this row, a rectangle at the left is shaded yellow and is labeled, “Mass of C O subscript 2.” This rectangle is followed by an arrow pointing right to a second rectangle. The arrow is labeled, “Molar mass.” The second rectangle is shaded pink and is labeled, “Moles of C O subscript 2.” This rectangle is followed by an arrow pointing right to a third rectangle. The arrow is labeled, “Stoichiometric factor.” The third rectangle is shaded pink and is labeled, “Moles of C.” This rectangle is followed by an arrow labeled “Molar mass” which points right to a fourth rectangle. The fourth rectangle is shaded yellow and is labeled “Mass of C.” Below, is a second flowchart. It begins with a yellow shaded rectangle on the left which is labeled, “Mass of H subscript 2 O.” This rectangle is followed by an arrow labeled, “Molar mass,” which points right to a second rectangle. The second rectangle is shaded pink and is labeled, “Moles of H subscript 2 O.” This rectangle is followed by an arrow pointing right to a third rectangle. The arrow is labeled, “Stoichiometric factor.” The third rectangle is shaded pink and is labeled “Moles of H.” This rectangle is followed to the right by an arrow labeled, “Molar mass,” which points to a fourth rectangle. The fourth rectangle is shaded yellow and is labeled “Mass of H.” An arrow labeled, “Sample mass” points down beneath this rectangle to a green shaded rectangle. This rectangle is labeled, “Percent composition.” An arrow extends beneath the pink rectangle labeled, “Moles of H,” to a green shaded rectangle labeled, “C to H mole ratio.” Beneath this rectangle, an arrow extends to a second green shaded rectangle which is labeled, “Empirical formula.”

The empirical formula for the compound is then derived by identifying the smallest whole-number multiples for these molar amounts. The H-to-C molar ratio is

and the empirical formula for polyethylene is CH2.

Check Your Learning:

A 0.00215-g sample of polystyrene, a polymer composed of carbon and hydrogen, produced 0.00726 g of CO2 and 0.00148 g of H2O in a combustion analysis. What is the empirical formula for polystyrene?

 

Answer:

CH

Key Concepts and Summary

The stoichiometry of chemical reactions may serve as the basis for quantitative chemical analysis methods. Titrations involve measuring the volume of a titrant solution required to completely react with a sample solution. This volume is then used to calculate the concentration of analyte in the sample using the stoichiometry of the titration reaction. Gravimetric analysis involves separating the analyte from the sample by a physical or chemical process, determining its mass, and then calculating its concentration in the sample based on the stoichiometry of the relevant process. Combustion analysis is a gravimetric method used to determine the elemental composition of a compound by collecting and weighing the gaseous products of its combustion.

Glossary

analyte
chemical species of interest
buret
device used for the precise delivery of variable liquid volumes, such as in a titration analysis
combustion analysis
gravimetric technique used to determine the elemental composition of a compound via the collection and weighing of its gaseous combustion products
end point
measured volume of titrant solution that yields the change in sample solution appearance or other property expected for stoichiometric equivalence (see equivalence point)
equivalence point
volume of titrant solution required to react completely with the analyte in a titration analysis; provides a stoichiometric amount of titrant for the sample’s analyte according to the titration reaction
gravimetric analysis
quantitative chemical analysis method involving the separation of an analyte from a sample by a physical or chemical process and subsequent mass measurements of the analyte, reaction product, and/or sample
indicator
substance added to the sample in a titration analysis to permit visual detection of the end point
quantitative analysis
the determination of the amount or concentration of a substance in a sample
titrant
solution containing a known concentration of substance that will react with the analyte in a titration analysis
titration analysis
quantitative chemical analysis method that involves measuring the volume of a reactant solution required to completely react with the analyte in a sample

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