Determination of Water Content in Phenol Using Karl Fischer Titration

Product Group

Alcohols, Phenols

General Information concerning the product group

Alcohols

Water determination after Karl Fischer poses no problems for most alcohols. Alcohols are easily soluble in the common Karl Fischer working media. Only alcohols with very long chains require the addition of solubilisers. Side reactions are not to be expected. Suitable methods are both the volumetric titration with one or two component reagents as well as the coulometric determination. The latter method is predominantly applied for low water concentrations (< 0.1%).

Phenols

In most phenols water determination can be carried out according to the standard methods after Karl Fischer. Some substances, however, are oxidised by the Karl Fischer reagent. This side reaction leads to unstable or dragging end points. During coulometry, interferences can accumulate to the point where analysis becomes impossible. Because the side reaction is dependent on the pH, its influence can be reduced through modification of the solvent. In a weakly acidic titration environment (e.g. through the addition of Aquastar^® buffer solution for strong bases, benzoic or salicylic acid) easily oxidisable substances can be determined nevertheless.

Special Information concerning the sample and the methods

Phenol does not cause any interferences in the Karl Fischer solution and is easily soluble in alcoholic media. Analysis can be carried out according to standard methods.

Titration one component system

Reagents:

Titrant
188005 Aquastar^® - CombiTitrant 5 - One component reagent for volumetric Karl Fischer titration, 1 mL = approx. 5 mg water
or
188002 Aquastar^® - CombiTitrant 2 - One component reagent for volumetric Karl Fischer titration, 1 mL = approx. 2 mg water

Solvent
50 mL 188008 Aquastar^® - CombiSolvent - Methanol-free solvent for volumetric Karl Fischer titration with one component reagents
or
50 mL 188009 Aquastar^® - CombiMethanol - Solvent for volumetric Karl Fischer titration with one component reagents, max. 0.01 % water

Titration Parameters:
Default titration settings, e.g.:
I(pol) = 20 - 50 µA, U(EP) = 100 - 250 mV
Stop criterion: drift < 20 µL/min

Sample size:
5 g

Procedure:
The titration medium is first placed into the cell and titrated dry by means of the titrant. Then the sample is added from a weighing boat (exact sample weight determination by weighing of weighing boat before and after addition) and the titration is started.

Titration two component system

Reagents:

Titrant
188010 Aquastar^® - Titrant 5 - Titrant for volumetric titration with two component reagents, 1 mL = approx. 5 mg water
or
188011 Aquastar^® - Titrant 2 - Titrant for volumetric titration with two component reagents, 1 mL = approx. 2 mg water

Solvent
50 mL 188015 Aquastar^® - Solvent - Solvent for volumetric titration with two component reagents

Titration Parameters:
Default titration settings, e.g.:
I(pol) = 20 - 50 µA, U(EP) = 100 - 250 mV
Stop criterion: drift < 20 µL/min

Sample size:
5 g

Procedure:
The titration medium is first placed into the cell and titrated dry by means of the titrant. Then the sample is added from a weighing boat (exact sample weight determination by weighing of weighing boat before and after addition) and the titration is started.

Coulometry with diaphragm

Reagents:

Catholyte
5 mL 109255 Aquastar^® - CombiCoulomat frit - Coulometric Karl Fischer reagent for cells with diaphragm

Anolyte
100 mL 109255 Aquastar^® - CombiCoulomat frit - Coulometric Karl Fischer reagent for cells with diaphragm

Titration Parameters:
Default coulometer settings for cell with diaphragm:
For end point indication, e.g.:
I(pol) = 5 - 10 µA, U(EP) = 50 - 100 mV
Stop criterion: drift < 10 µg/min

Sample size:
1 g

Procedure:
The Karl-Fischer reagent is placed into the cathode and anode compartment of the titration cell with diaphragm. The coulometer is started and the solvent is titrated dry. After preliminary titration and stabilisation of drift the sample is added from a weighing boat (exact sample weight determination by weighing of weighing boat before and after addition) and the titration is started.

Coulometry without diaphragm

Reagents:

Working medium
100 mL 109257 Aquastar^® - CombiCoulomat fritless - Coulometric Karl Fischer reagent for cells with or without diaphragm

Titration Parameters:
Default coulometer settings for cell without diaphragm:
For end point indication, e.g.:
I(pol) = 5 - 10 µA, U(EP) = 50 - 100 mV
Stop criterion: drift < 10 µg/min

Sample size:
1 g

Procedure:
The Karl-Fischer reagent is placed into the titration cell without diaphragm. The coulometer is started and the solvent is titrated dry. After preliminary titration and stabilisation of drift the sample is added from a weighing boat (exact sample weight determination by weighing of weighing boat before and after addition) and the titration is started.