Standard procedures

Three basic forms of the Karl Fischer titration have evolved:

• Volumetric titration using one-component reagents
• Volumetric titration using two-component reagents
• Coulometric titration

Karl Fischer volumetry is used for samples with high water content, i.e. 1-100 mg per sample. An iodine-containing solution serves as titrating agent. The water content of the sample is calculated using titration volume and titer of the titrating agent. One-component reagents conveniently contain all reactants (iodine, sulfur dioxide and a base) dissolved in a suitable alcohol in one solution, whereas two-component reagents contain all necessary reactants separated in two different solutions to enhance the rapidity of the Karl Fischer reaction and the titer stability of the titrating agent.

Karl Fischer coulometry is a micro-method and is particularly suitable for samples with low water content, from 10 µg up to 10 mg. Here, the required iodine is generated electrochemically in the titration vessel by anodic oxidation from iodide contained in the coulometric reagents. The amount of consumed electric charge is used to calculate the consumption of iodine and therefore the amount of water in the sample.

• HYDRANAL^® reagents
• Chemical fundamentals behind Karl Fischer titration
  
  

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