Introduction
Redox titrations involve a redox reaction between a titrant (a solution of known concentration) and an analyte (unknown concentration) to determine its amount. Unlike acid-base titrations, they involve electron transfer and often use colored oxidizing or reducing agents like KMnO₄, K₂Cr₂O₇, or Na₂S₂O₃.
🔹 1. Common Redox Titrants and Their Reactions
Reagent | Acts As | Example Reaction |
---|---|---|
KMnO₄ (purple) | Oxidizing agent | MnO₄⁻ + 8H⁺ + 5e⁻ → Mn²⁺ + 4H₂O |
K₂Cr₂O₇ (orange) | Oxidizing agent | Cr₂O₇²⁻ + 14H⁺ + 6e⁻ → 2Cr³⁺ + 7H₂O |
Na₂S₂O₃ (sodium thiosulfate) | Reducing agent | 2S₂O₃²⁻ + I₂ → S₄O₆²⁻ + 2I⁻ |
🔹 2. Equipment Used
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Burette (holds titrant)
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Pipette (measures analyte)
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Conical flask
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White tile (for color visibility)
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Indicators (if needed — but not for KMnO₄, which is self-indicating)
🔹 3. General Titration Procedure
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Rinse all apparatus with correct solutions.
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Fill burette with titrant (e.g., KMnO₄).
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Pipette analyte (e.g., Fe²⁺) into flask.
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Add acid (if required, e.g., H₂SO₄ with KMnO₄).
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Titrate until end-point (color change observed).
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Repeat for accurate titres (within ±0.10 mL).
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Calculate unknown concentration.
🔹 4. Example Calculation
Titration of Fe²⁺ with KMnO₄
Reaction:
Data:
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Volume of KMnO₄ used = 25.00 mL
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Molarity of KMnO₄ = 0.0200 mol/L
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Volume of Fe²⁺ = 20.00 mL
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Find molarity of Fe²⁺
Step 1: Moles of KMnO₄
Step 2: Molar ratio (from equation):
Step 3: Molarity of Fe²⁺
✅ Answer: Molarity of Fe²⁺ = 0.125 M
🔹 5. Common Redox Titration Pairs in NECTA
Titrant (in burette) | Analyte (in flask) | Notes |
---|---|---|
KMnO₄ | Fe²⁺ or C₂O₄²⁻ | Requires H₂SO₄ (acidic medium) |
K₂Cr₂O₇ | Fe²⁺ | Needs diphenylamine indicator |
I₂ (from KIO₃) | Thiosulfate (Na₂S₂O₃) | Starch used as indicator |
🧠 NECTA Tips
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KMnO₄ is self-indicating: endpoint = faint permanent pink
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Use starch only near endpoint when titrating iodine
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Use H₂SO₄, not HCl or HNO₃, with KMnO₄
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Balance redox equations with electrons
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Always include units in final answers
✅ Summary
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Redox titrations use redox reactions to find unknown concentrations
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KMnO₄, K₂Cr₂O₇, and Na₂S₂O₃ are common titrants
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Must balance reactions and apply mole ratios
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Endpoint is based on color change (self or with indicator)
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Strong NECTA candidate, both theory and practical