No. 130/2 e
Application Bulletin
Of interest to: General analytical laboratories A 1, 2, 4, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13
Chloride titrations with potentiometric indication
Summary
Besides acid/base titrations, the titrimetric determination of chloride is one of the
most frequently used titrimetric methods of analysis. It is employed more or less
frequently in practically every laboratory. This bulletin shows you how to determine
chloride in a wide range of concentrations using automatic titrators.
Silver nitrate is normally used as titrant. (For environmental reasons one should
refrain from using mercury nitrate.) The titrant concentration depends on the chlo-
ride content of the sample to be analyzed. It is especially important to choose the
correct electrode for samples with low chloride contents.
Instruments and accessories
· 702 SET/MET Titrino, 716 DMS Titrino, 736 GP Titrino, 751 GPD Titrino or 785
DMP Titrino or
726 or 796 Titroprocessor with 700 Dosino or 685 Dosimat
· 2.728.0040 Magnetic Stirrer
· 6.3014.XX3 Exchange Unit (with flat PCTFE/PTFE stopcock)
· Indicator electrode: A wide range of suitable electrodes is available from Me-
trohm. Here a selection of these:
– 6.0430.100 Ag Titrode*
– 6.0450.100 combined Ag ring electrode*
– 6.0331.010 Ag rod electrode*
– 6.0350.100 Ag ring electrode*
– 6.0502.120 chloride ISE
– 6.0502.180 silver/sulfate ISE
* Bare or with AgCl or Ag2S coating, as desired.
· 6.0726.100 double-junction Ag/AgCl reference electrode (bridge electrolyte
KNO3) with 6.2106.020 electrode cable (when using a separate Ag electrode
without integrated reference system)
Reagents
· Titrant: c(AgNO3) = 0.001 ... 0.1 mol/L
· Chloride standard: c(KCl) = 0.1000 mol/L, e.g. Metrohm no. 6.2301.060, or dilu-
tions from it
· Acid: c(HNO3) = 2 mol/L or c(H2SO4) = 1 mol/L
Application Bulletin No. 130/2 e
Chloride titrations with potentiometric indication Page 2
For special applications:
· Acetone, p.a., as free from chloride as possible
· Acetic acid w(CH3COOH) = 80%, containing 1.9 g/L amidosulfuric acid
· Protective colloid: polyvinyl alcohol, e.g. Merck no. 114266, as 0.2% aqueous
solution (dissolve in hot dist. water)
General remarks
· Silver nitrate forms sparingly soluble precipitates with many anions. In mixtures
containing different anions the obtained titration curve can therefore show sev-
eral equivalence points. The anion forming the least soluble compound with
Ag+ ions is determined first. Consequently, in a mixture of chloride, bromide
and iodide the Cl– ions will be titrated last. For the quantitative separation of an-
ion mixtures the solubility products of the corresponding Ag compounds should
differ as much as possible. In addition, as far as the anions to be analyzed are
concerned, no great differences in concentration should exist. In certain cases,
adding barium acetate and/or acetone can facilitate separation.
· Generally titration should be performed in an acidic solution (acidify with HNO3
or H2SO4).
· Prior to the chloride titration, any cyanides, sulfides and thiosulfates present
should be removed by means of oxidation, e.g. with H2O2.
· If the sample contains peroxides (e.g. after a digestion), these must be de-
stroyed prior to the titration.
· Samples with high chloride contents (brines, salts) are not titrated directly, but
an intermediate dilution is prepared first: A suitable amount of sample is
weighed in and diluted with dist. water to a defined volume; a portion of this
sample solution (aliquot) is then used for the titration.
· To prevent coagulation of the AgCl precipitate, a protective colloid can be
added to the sample solution. 5 mL 0.2% polyvinyl alcohol solution per 100 mL
sample solution prevents inclusions and keeps the electrode surface practically
free from deposits.
· We favor the Ag Titrode. With this electrode there is no need to refill any elec-
trolyte and there are no diaphragm problems.
· For the determination of small chloride concentrations or the titration of chlo-
ride in aggressive media, we recommend to use a Ag electrode with Ag2S coat-
ing.
Analysis
General procedure
Place the sample or an aliquot of this in a glass beaker and add 0.5 mL c(HNO3) =
2 mol/L or c(H2SO4) = 1 mol/L. In the case of higher chloride contents dilute with
dist. water to 50 ... 100 mL. Immerse the electrode(s) and titrate in the mV
measuring range using a AgNO3 solution of appropriate concentration.
Calculation
1 mL c(AgNO3) = 0.1 mol/L corresponds to 3.5453 mg Cl
– or 5.8443 mg NaCl or
7.4555 mg KCl
Application Bulletin No. 130/2 e
Chloride titrations with potentiometric indication Page 3
Examples
1. Chloride in drinking water
To 100 mL drinking water add 0.5 mL c(HNO3) = 2 mol/L and titrate with c(AgNO3)
= 0.01 mol/L. Use the Ag Titrode with Ag2S coating.
mg/L chloride = EP1 * 0.3545 * 1000 / 100 = EP1 * 3.545
2. Chloride in dialysis and/or infusion solutions
To 5.0 mL sample add 2 mL c(HNO3) = 2 mol/L and 30 ... 50 mL dist. water. Ti-
trate with c(AgNO3) = 0.1 mol/L using the Ag Titrode.
mmol/L chloride = EP1 * 0.1 * 1000 / 5 = EP1 * 20
3. Chloride in Cr(VI) plating bath
Pipet 5.0 mL bath sample as well as 20 mL dist. water and 20 mL ethanol into a
glass beaker. After addition of 0.5 mL conc. H2SO4 heat the solution and boil for 5
min in order to convert all Cr(VI) to Cr(III). Allow to cool down, then titrate with
c(AgNO3) = 0.01 mol/L using the Ag Titrode with Ag2S coating.
mg/L chloride = EP1 * 0.355 * 1000 / 5 = EP1 * 71
4. Chloride in acidic copper plating bath
Pipet 20.0 mL bath sample, 2 mL c(HNO3) = 2 mol/L and 50 mL dist. water into a
glass beaker. Using the Ag Titrode, titrate with c(AgNO3) = 0.01 mol/L.
mg/L chloride = EP1 * 0.355 * 1000 / 20 = EP1 * 17.75
5. Chloride in nickel plating bath (nickel sulfate/sulfamate)
Depending on the expected chloride content, pipet 1.0 ... 5.0 mL bath sample into
a glass beaker. Add ca. 50 mL dist. water as well as 2 mL c(HNO3) = 2 mol/L and
titrate with c(AgNO3) = 0.1 mol/L using the Ag Titrode.
g/L chloride = EP1 * 3.5453 / C00
C00 = 1.0 ... 5.0 (sample volume in mL)
6. Chloride traces in cement and clinker
Weigh exactly 2.500 g sample into a glass beaker and suspend with 30 mL dist.
water. Carefully add 6 mL conc. HNO3 under stirring, then place the glass beaker
for 1 ... 2 min in an ultrasonic bath. Filter through a paper filter (free from chlo-
ride!) into a 100 mL volumetric flask, thoroughly rinse the filter with dist. water,
make up to the mark and mix.
Pipet 50.0 mL of the prepared sample solution (this corresponds to 1.25 g of the
original sample) into a glass beaker, add 20 mL glacial acetic acid as well as ca.
0.5 g sodium acetate and titrate with c(AgNO3) = 0.01 mol/L using the MET mode
of the titrator.
% chloride = EP1 * 0.355 * 0.1 / 1.25 = EP1 * 0.0284
Application Bulletin No. 130/2 e
Chloride titrations with potentiometric indication Page 4
7. Salt content of meat (dried meat, sausage, ham, smoked fish, etc.)
Cut the sample in tiny pieces with a knife. Weigh exactly ca. 10 g of this sample
into a mixer, add 190 g dist. water and let run for 1 ... 2 min until the mixture is
homogeneous.
Weigh 50 g of the homogenized mixture into a glass beaker and add 50 mL dist.
water as well as 2 mL c(HNO3) = 2 mol/L. Titrate with c(AgNO3) = 0.1 mol/L using
the Ag Titrode.
% NaCl = EP1 * 5.844 * 0.1 / C00 = EP1 * 0.5844 / C00
C00 = ca. 2.5 (sample mass used for the titration in g)
8. Adsorbable halogenated hydrocarbons (AOX)
The analysis of traces of adsorbable halogenated hydrocarbons represents a spe-
cial case. After combustion of the sample the gases formed are absorbed in 80%
acetic acid + 1.9 g/L amidosulfuric acid and titrated with c(AgNO3) = 2 mmol/L in
80% acetic acid.
Indicator electrode: 6.0331.010 Ag rod electrode with Ag2S coating
Reference electrode: 6.0726.100 double-junction Ag/AgCl reference electrode
[bridge electrolyte c(NaCH3COO) = 2 mol/L in 80% acetic
acid]
Application Bulletin No. 130/2 e
Chloride titrations with potentiometric indication Page 5
Figures
'pa
785 DMP Titrino 02287 785.0010
user MEIER
date 1999 - 04- 27 time 11:11 5
DET U Chloride
parameters
>titration parameters
meas.pt.density 4
min.incr. 10.0 fl
dos.rate max. ml/min
signal drift 50 mV/min
equilibr.time 26 s
start V: OFF
pause 0 s
meas.input: 1
temperature 17.2 °C
>stop conditions
stop V: abs.
stop V 99.99 ml
stop U OFF mV
s top EP 1
filling rate max. ml/min
>statistics
status: OFF
>evaluation
EPC 5
EP recognition: all
fix EP1 at U OFF mV
pK/HNP: OFF
>preselections
req.ident: OFF
req.smpl size: OFF
limit smpl size: OFF
activate pulse: OFF
============
'fr
785 DMP Titrino 02287 785.0010
user MEIER
date 1999 - 04- 27 time 11:01 5
U(init) 59 mV DET U Chloride
smpl size 100 ml
EP1 2.150 ml - 15 mV
Chloride 7.62 ppm
stop #EP reached
============
'cu
785 DMP Titrino 02287 785.0010
user MEIER
date 199 9- 04- 27 time 11:01 5
start V 0.000 ml DET U Chloride
1.0 ml/div dU=50.0 mV/div
Fig.1: Parameter settings on the 785 DMP
Titrino for determining chloride in drink-
ing water.
Fig. 2: Result block and titration curve.
Literature
There are numerous standard methods concerning chloride titrations with potenti-
ometric indication. Here a few examples are listed:
· AOAC 963.05 (1990)
Chlorides in tobacco. Potentiometric method.
· AOAC 971.25 (1990)
Sodium chlorides in canned vegetables. Method III: Potentiometric method.
· AOAC 976.18 (1990)
Salt (chlorine as sodium chloride) in seafood. Potentiometric method.
· AOAC 980.25 (1990)
Chlorides in water-soluble color additives. Manual and automated potentiomet-
ric method.
· ASTM D 1570-95 (1995)
Standard Test Methods for Sampling and Chemical Analysis of Fatty Alkyl Sul-
fates.
· ASTM D 1820-95 (1995)
Standard Test Method for Hydrolyzable Chlorine Compounds in Chlorinated
Aromatic Hydrocarbons (Askarels).
· ASTM D 1847-93 (1998)
Standard Test Methods for Total Chlorine Content of Epoxy Resins.
Application Bulletin No. 130/2 e
Chloride titrations with potentiometric indication Page 6
· ASTM D 3673-89 (1995)
Standard Test methods for Chemical Analysis of Alpha Olefin Sulfonates.
· ASTM D 4929-89 (1989)
Standard Test Methods for Determination of Organic Chloride in Crude Oil.
· DIN EN 196, part 21 (1989)
Prüfverfahren für Zement. Bestimmung des Chlorid-, Kohlenstoffdioxid- und
Alkalianteils.
· ISO 457: 1983
Soaps – Determination of chloride content – Titrimetric method.
· ISO 4573: 1978
Plastics – Epoxide resins and glycidyl esters – Determination of inorganic chlo-
rine.
· ISO 5810: 1982
Starches and derived products – Determination of chloride content – Potenti-
ometric method.
· ISO 5943: 1988
Cheese and processed cheese products – Determination of chloride content –
Potentiometric titration method.
· ISO 6227: 1982
Chemical products for industrial use – General method for determination of
chloride ions – Potentiometric method.
· ISO 9197-1: 1989
Paper, board and pulps – Determination of water-soluble chlorides - Part 1:
General method.
· Schweizerisches Lebensmittelbuch, chapter 13 (1981)
Würzen, Suppen, Saucen. 05. Chlorid-Bestimmung.
· UOP 456-80 (1980)
Chloride in refinery waters.