Karl Fischer Method

Water Determination
(Karl Fischer Method)
The Water Determination Test (Karl Fischer Method) is designed to determine
water content in substances, utilizing the quantitative reaction of water with iodine
and sulfur dioxide in the presence of a lower alcohol such as methanol and an organic
base such as pyridine, as shown in the following formulae:
H2O+I2+SO2 + 3 C5H5N 􀋠 2(C5H5N+H)I- + C5H5N􀅋SO3
C5H5N􀅋SO3 + CH3OH 􀋠 (C5H5N+H)O-SO2􀅋OCH3.
There are two determination methods different in iodine-providing principle: the
volumetric titration method and the coulometric titration method.
In the volumetric titration method, iodine required for reaction with water is
previously dissolved in water determination TS, and water content is determined by
measuring the amount of iodine consumed as a result of reaction with water in a
sample.
In the coulometric titration method, first, iodine is produced by electrolysis of the
reagent containing iodide ion, and then, the water content in a sample is determined
by measuring the quantity of electricity which is required for the electrolysis (i.e., for
the production of iodine), based on the quantitative reaction of the generated iodine
with water.
Hereinafter in the Monographs, such a specification􀁬not more than 4.0% (0.5 g,
back titration)􀁺indicates that when determined by weighing about 0.5 g of the
sample accurately and performing back titration, the water content is not more than
4.0% of the weight of the sample.
Method 􀌍􀉽Volumetric titration
Apparatus Generally, the apparatus consists of an automatic burette, a backtitration
flask, a stirrer, and an equipment for amperometric titration at constant
voltage or potentiometric titration at constant current.
Because water determination TS is extremely hygroscopic, the titration
apparatus should be protected from atmospheric moisture. Silica gel or calcium
chloride for water determination is usually used for moisture protection.
Procedure As a rule, the titration of the sample with water determination TS
should be performed at the same temperature as that at the standardization of the
TS, while protecting from moisture.
The apparatus is equipped with a variable resistor in the circuit, and the resistor
is adjusted to apply a definite voltage (mV) between a pair of platinum electrodes
B. GENERAL TESTS
immersed in the solution to be titrated. The change in current (􀐖A) is measured
during the dropping of water determination TS (Amperometric titration at constant
voltage). As titration continues , the abrupt change in current in the circuit occurrs,
but returns to the original state within several seconds. At the end of a titration, the
change in current persists for a certain time (usually, longer than 30 seconds). The
end point of titration is determined at this electric state.
Otherwise, by adjusting the resistor, a definite current is passed between the two
platinum electrodes, and the change in potential (mV) is measured during dropping
water determination TS (Potentiometric titration at constant current). With the
progress of titration, the value indicated by the potentiometer in the circuit decreases
suddenly from a polarization state of several hundreds (mV) to the nonpolarization
state, but it returns to the original state within several seconds. At the end of
titration, the non-polarization state persists for a certain time (usually, longer than
30 seconds). The end point of titration is determined when this electric state attains.
In the case of back titration, when the amperometric titration method is used at
constant voltage, the needle of microammeter is out of scale while an excessive
quantity of water determination TS remains. It returns rapidly to the original
position when the titration reaches the end point. Similarly, when the potentiometric
titration method at constant current is used, the needle of the millivoltmeter is at the
original position while an excessive quantity of water determination TS remains. A
definite voltage is applied when the titration reaches the end point.
Unless otherwise specified, the titration of water with water determination TS is
performed by either of the methods below. Usually, the end point of the titration can
be observed more clearly in the back titration method than in the direct titration
method.
(1) Direct titration Unless otherwise specified, proceed as directed below.
Take 25ml of methanol for water determination in a dried titration flask, and
titrate with water determination TS to the end point. Unless otherwise specified,
weigh accurately a quantity of the sample containing 10 to 50 mg of water, transfer it
quickly into the titration flask, and dissolve by stirring. Titrate the solution with
water determination TS to the end point under vigorous stirring.
When the sample is insoluble in the solvent, powder the sample quickly, weigh a
suitable amount of the sample accurately, and transfer it quickly into the titration
vessel, stir the mixture for 30 minutes while protecting it from moisture. Perform a
titration under vigorous stirring.
When the sample interferes with the Karl Fisher reaction, water in the sample
can be removed by heating and under a stream of nitrogen gas, and introduced into
the titration vessel by using a water-evaporation device.
􀀁
B. GENERAL TESTS
100(%)
Weightof the sample(mg)
Water(H2O) Volume(ml) of TSfor Water Determinationconsumed f (mg/mL) ×
×
=
(2) Back titration Unless otherwise specified, proceed as directed below.
Take 20ml of methanol for water determination in the dried titration vessel, and
titrate with water determination TS. Weigh accurately a suitable quantity of the
sample containing 10􀊵50 mg of water, transfer the sample quickly into the titration
vessel, add an excessive and definite volume of water determination TS, stir for 30
min, protecting from atmospheric moisture, and then titrate the solution with Water
􀊵Methanol Standard Solution under vigorous stirring.
Water(H2O)
Volume of water determination Volume of Water􀊵Methanol Standards
􀊷f 􀊵 􀊷 f’
TS added (ml) Solution consumed (ml)
= 􀊷100 (%),
􀀁 􀀁 􀀁 􀀁 􀀁 Weight of sample (mg)
Where f = the number of mg of water (H2O) corresponding to 1 ml of water
determination TS,
f’ = the number of mg of water (H2O) in 1 ml of Water􀊵Methanol Standard
Solution.
Method 2. Coulometric titration
Apparatus Usually, the apparatus is comprised of an electrolytic cell for iodine
production, a stirrer, a titration flask, and a potentiometric titration system at
constant current. The iodine production device is composed of an anode and a cathode,
separated by a diaphragm. The anode is immersed in the anolyte solution for water
determination and the cathode is immersed in the catholyte solution for water
determination. Both electrodes are usually made of platinum-mesh.
Because water determination TS is extremely hygroscopic, the titration
apparatus should be protected from atmospheric moisture. For this purpose, silica gel
or calcium chloride for water determination is usually used.
Procedure Take a suitable volume of an anolyte for water determination in a
titration vessel, immerse in this solution a pair of platinum electrodes for
potentiometric titration at constant current. Then, immerse the iodide production
system filled with a catholyte for water determination in the anolyte solution.
Switch on the electrolytic system and make the content of the titration vessel
anhydrous. Next, take an accurately weighed amount of the sample containing 1􀊵5
mg of water, add it quickly to the vessel, and dissolve by stirring. Perform the
B. GENERAL TESTS
titration to the end point under vigorous stirring. When the sample is insoluble in the
anolyte, powder it quickly, and add an accurately weighed amount of the sample to
the vessel. After stirring the mixture for 5􀊵30 minutes, while protecting from
atmospheric moisture, perform the titration with vigorous stirring.
Determine the quantity of electricity (C) [ electric current (A) 􀊷 time (s)]
required for the production of iodine during the titration, and calculate the content
(%) of the water in the sample by the formula below.
When the sample interferes with the Karl Fisher reaction, water in the sample
can be removed by heating under a stream of nitrogen gas, and introduced into the
titration vessel by using a water-evaporation device.