Karl Fischer ROTI^®Hydroquant T5 E

There are two established Karl Fischer methods of calculating the water content of a substance: Volumetric analysis and coulometric analysis.

Which method is chosen depends primarily on the water content that the sample is expected to have. Making the right choice is vital for obtaining reliable and reproducible results. Carl ROTH offers compatible reagents for both of these methods.

Karl Fischer volumetric analysis is recommended if the water content of a sample ought to be between 0,1 % and 100 %. Volumetric analysis is performed by measuring the amount of Karl Fischer reagent that needs to be added to a substance until the end point of the titration has been reached. In alcoholic solutions, water reacts 1:1 with iodine in the presence of sulphur dioxide. Methanol and sulphur dioxide form an acid ester that is neutralised by the base (e.g. imidazole, hereafter referred to as "RN" for simplicity).

CH₃OH + SO₂ + RN → [RNH]SO₃CH₃

In the titration process, iodine is added which reacts with water to be reduced to colourless iodide:

[RNH]SO₃CH₃ + H₂O + I₂ + 2 RN → [RNH]SO₄CH₃ + 2 [RNH]I

This reaction continues until there is no water left. The end point is determined by a change in colour due to a surplus of iodine and measured using a potentiometer.

Table illustrating the uses of Karl Fischer ROTI^®Hydroquant volumetric reagents:

Two-components Reagents

In two-component systems, the substances crucial for the reaction are separated, with some in the solvent component and some in the titration component. Separating the substances gives the system a longer shelf life and means that the titre needs to be determined less frequently.