Estimation of sodium chloride

  • In pharmaceutical analysis, the estimation of sodium chloride (NaCl) can be done through precipitation titrations.
  • Precipitation titrations are a type of volumetric analysis where a precipitating agent is added to the sample to cause the formation of a solid precipitate.
  • The endpoint of the titration is reached when all of the analyte has reacted to form the precipitate, and this can be detected using an appropriate indicator or by observing a change in some physical property.

Here are the steps involved in estimating sodium chloride using a precipitation titration:

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Reagents and Equipment:

  1. Sample: Pharmaceutical sample containing sodium chloride.
  2. Standard Solution: Standardized silver nitrate (AgNO₃) solution.
  3. Indicator: Potassium chromate (K₂CrO₄), which forms a reddish-brown precipitate (Ag₂CrO₄) at the endpoint.
  4. Glassware: Burettes, pipettes, beakers, and Erlenmeyer flasks for accurate measurements.
  5. Stirring rod: For mixing the solution during titration.

Procedure of Estimation of sodium chloride:

  1. Preparation of the Sample:

    • Weigh a known amount of the pharmaceutical sample containing sodium chloride.
    • Dissolve it in distilled water in a beaker.
  2. Add Indicator:

    • Add a few drops of potassium chromate (K₂CrO₄) indicator to the solution.
    • The solution will turn yellow due to the presence of chromate ions.
  3. Titration:

    • Titrate the sample solution with standardized AgNO₃ solution using a burette.
    • Silver ions (Ag⁺) react with chloride ions (Cl⁻) to form a white precipitate of silver chloride (AgCl).
    • Reaction:
      AgNO₃ + NaCl → AgCl + NaNO₃
    • Continue adding AgNO₃ until the endpoint is reached, which is indicated by a color change from yellow to reddish-brown due to the formation of silver chromate (Ag₂CrO₄).
  4. Note the Volume:

    • Record the volume of AgNO₃ solution used to reach the endpoint.
  5. Calculations:

    • Use the following formula to calculate the amount of NaCl in the sample:
      Amount of NaCl (g) = (Volume of AgNO₃ (mL) × Normality of AgNO₃ × Molecular weight of NaCl) / 1
    • Molecular weight of NaCl = 58.44 g/mol.
  6. Express Results:

    • Report the result as the percentage of sodium chloride in the pharmaceutical sample.
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