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Complexometric Titration With Edta

EDTA is used to determine metals in aqueous solutions through complexation titration. It binds strongly to metals through its carboxylic acids, with binding constants dependent on pH and metal identity. The titration endpoint is detected using an indicator that is one color when bound to metal ions and another when in its free form. EDTA binds metals more strongly, changing the indicator color at the endpoint of the titration. This document describes procedures for using EDTA titration to determine the concentration of zinc in an unknown sample and to measure the total hardness of tap water by quantifying its calcium and magnesium content.

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223 views4 pages

Complexometric Titration With Edta

EDTA is used to determine metals in aqueous solutions through complexation titration. It binds strongly to metals through its carboxylic acids, with binding constants dependent on pH and metal identity. The titration endpoint is detected using an indicator that is one color when bound to metal ions and another when in its free form. EDTA binds metals more strongly, changing the indicator color at the endpoint of the titration. This document describes procedures for using EDTA titration to determine the concentration of zinc in an unknown sample and to measure the total hardness of tap water by quantifying its calcium and magnesium content.

Uploaded by

Clera
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Complexometric Titration with EDTA 

In this experiment you will use ethylenediaminetetraaectic acid (EDTA) to determine


metals in aqueous solution by complexation titration. EDTA is a chelating agent that binds
to metals through four carboxylic acids. Its formation constant for complexation is different
for each metal, and because the ligands are acids, the formation constants are also strongly
dependent on pH. Metals always bind more strongly as pH increases because acidic
hydrogens are removed from the EDTA. By controlling pH you can favor complexation of
one metal over another.

EDTA is colorless whether or not it is bound to a metal ion. Endpoints for complexation
titrations can be observed using metal ion indicators such as Eriochrome Black T. This
compound is wine red when complexed with metal ions, and blue in the free form. Addition
of the indicator to a solution containing metal ions turns the solution red due to metal ion
binding. EDTA binds metals more strongly than the indicators, so when all of the metal ions
are bound to EDTA, the indicator is left in its free form, and the solution turns blue.

Preparation of Titrant 
EDTA complexes metals, which may be present in tap water and deionized water. Use
distilled water for all the following procedures. You should also rinse your equipment with
distilled water. Prepare a 0.01 M EDTA solution: Accurately weigh ~0.93 g of previously
dried (at 80 0C for 1 hr) Na2H2EDTA * 2H2O (FW = 372.2) and add it to approximately 75
mL distilled water in a clean 250 mL beaker. If the entire solid does not dissolve heat the
solution gently until the solid disappears. Quantitatively transfer the solution to a 250 mL
volumetric flask and dilute to the mark. Use the experimental mass to calculate the
molarity of your titrant.

A. Determination of Zinc
1. Dilute  25  mL  of  unknown  zinc  sample  to  250  mL  with  distilled  water  in  a  volumetric 
flask. 

2. Transfer 25 mL of the diluted unknown solution to four different Erlenmeyer flasks. To 
each  of  the flasks  add  6  drops  of  the  indicator and  5  mL  of  the  buffer solution  (check 
that the pH of the solution is ~10 with pH paper). Then titrate the solutions with 0.01 M 
EDTA solution. At the end point the color changes from deep purple to blue. 

3. Record  the  titration  volumes  and  determine  the  concentration  of  zinc  in  the  original 
unknown solution. 

Complexometric Titration with EDTA


B. Determination of the Hardness of Tap Water
1. Transfer 50 mL of tap water to four different Erlenmeyer flasks. Add 6 drops of indicator 
and  3  mL  of  buffer  solution.  Titrate  the  solutions  with  0.01  M  EDTA  until  the  color 
changes from wine red to blue. 

2. Record the titration volumes. You have measured the total concentration of Mg2+  and 
Ca2+  with  this  method.  However,  water  hardness  is  traditionally  expressed  as  ppm  Ca. 
You are expected to convert the concentration to this value. 

Complexometric Titration with EDTA


Student Name:

Chemistry 3200 
Complexometric Titration with EDTA 
Date: Lab Instructor: Section:

Unknown Number:

Part A:  Determination of Zinc 

Grams of EDTA salt measured:

Molarity of EDTA solution:

Volume used to titrate unknown:

Average titrant volume: 

Molarity of the titrated solution: 

Molarity of the unknown: 

Part B:  Determination of Water Hardness  

Volume of titrant:

Average titrant volume: 

Concentration of Mg2+ and Ca2+ combined: 

Concentration of Mg2+ and Ca2+ in ppm Ca:

Complexometric Titration with EDTA


Student Name:

Calculations for the molarity of the unknown zinc solution:








Calculation for water hardness:









Calculation for error analysis (Include a list of the errors and their
sources):


Complexometric Titration with EDTA

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