Titration

Regardless of which titration reaction is used the following criteria must be met for a titration to be successful.

• 1.) There must be a direct stoichiometric relationship between the reactive species such that no alternative or side-reactions occur.

• 2.) The reaction should proceed rapidly. If the reaction is slow, than a greater amount of the titrant will be added resulting in inaccurate determination of the concentration. (Would the concentration value obtained during the titration of the unknown solution be higher or lower than the actual concentration?)

• 3.) The reaction must be quantitative. If the reaction goes to less than 100 % completion there will again be an incorrect determination of concentration. Would the concentration value obtained during the titration of the unknown solution be higher or lower than the actual concentration?)

• 4.) There must be some method for observing the endpoint of the reaction. The type of titration reaction that is being used will determine the method used for observing the endpoint. For example, in a precipitation reaction the endpoint is realized by the appearance of a precipitate.