Back titration, also known as indirect titration, is a method used in analytical chemistry to determine the concentration of an unknown substance in a sample. It is used when the substance to be analyzed reacts with a known reagent in a way that is difficult to measure directly, or when the substance itself is unstable or reacts with the titration equipment. In these cases, a known excess of the reagent is added to the sample, and the excess is then titrated with a second reagent to determine the concentration of the unknown substance.
There are several steps involved in performing a back titration. First, a known excess of the reagent is added to the sample containing the unknown substance. The excess reagent is chosen to ensure that all of the unknown substance is reacted. The reaction is then allowed to proceed until it reaches completion.
Next, the excess reagent is titrated with a second reagent, known as the titrant. This is typically done using a burette, a calibrated glass tube with a stopcock that allows precise measurement of the volume of the titrant added to the solution. The titrant is added until the reaction between it and the excess reagent reaches an endpoint, which is indicated by a change in the solution's color or pH.
The volume of titrant used in the back titration is then used to calculate the concentration of the unknown substance in the original sample. This is done using the following equation:
Concentration of unknown substance = (Volume of titrant used / Equivalence point) x Concentration of titrant
Back titration is a useful tool for determining the concentration of substances that are difficult to measure directly. It is widely used in various fields, including environmental science, food science, and pharmaceuticals. It is also commonly used in quality control to ensure that products meet specified standards.
While back titration is a valuable technique, it is important to carefully follow proper laboratory procedures and to use calibrated equipment to ensure accurate results. It is also essential to choose the appropriate reagents and to carefully control the reaction conditions to ensure that the results are reliable. With these considerations in mind, back titration can provide valuable insights into the concentration of unknown substances in a variety of applications.