Estimation of copper in brass
1.0 Aim : To estimate the amount of copper in brass or a given substance., being provided with
approximately 0.01 N sodiumthiosulphate solution and AR potassium dichromate crystals.
2.0 Principle
A standard solution of potassium dichromate solution is prepared first, then using this standard
solution the given sodium thiosulphate solution is standardized. It is done by adding excess
potassium iodide solution to acidified dichromate solution.
From the standard reduction potential data,
Cr2O7 2- + 14 H+ + 6e- 2Cr3+ + 7H2O Eo = +1.33 V (1)
I2 + 2e- 2I- Eo = +0.54 V (2)
Since the reduction potential of dichromate is higher than that of Iodine, it is capable of
oxidising iodide ions (i-) from potassium iodide to iodine(I2).The liberated iodine is then against
sodium thiosulphate solution using starch as indicator.
S4O62- + 2e- 2S2O32- Eo = +0.090 V
From reduction potential data it is seen that the liberated iodine is capable of oxidising
thiosulphate ions to tetrathionate ions.(S4O62- ).In the estimation of copper, potassium iodide
solution is added to neutral copper solution which is also capable of liberating iodine.
2CuSO4 + 4KI 2CuI + 2K2SO4 +I2 Eo (Cu+2/Cu+) = +0.153 V
Here also the liberated iodine is then titrated against sodium thiosulphate solution using starch
as an indicator. The indicator starch gives an intense blue colour on adsorbing Iodine.
3.0 Procedure
3.1. Preparation of standard Potasium dichromate solution
About 0.62 g potassium dichromate crystals are accurately weighed and transferred to a 250ml
flask and made up to the mark. The solution will have the normality around 0.05 N
(approximate normality of given cu2+ in the solution of the given substance.
3.2 Standardisation of Sodium thiosulphate solution:
20 ml of standard potassium dichromate is pipetted into a conical flask, add about 3 ml of Con
Hcl and 5ml of 5% KI solution and and titrated against sodium thiosulphate solution taken in the
burette, using starch as indicator. When the solution becomes pale yellow, add about 1 ml of
freshly prepared starch solution, then the solution becomes blue in colour. The titration is
continued by adding sodium thiosulphate solution drop by drop till the blue colour disappears.
Repeat the titration for concordant titre values.
3.3 Estimation of copper
Dissolve the given substance containing copper in water taken in a 100 ml standard measuring
flask and make up to the mark. Shake the made up solution to homogenize well.
Pipette out 20 ml of the above made up solution into a 250 ml conical flask. It is then
neutralised by adding NH4OH solution drop by drop till the blue turbidity persists. Dissolve this
turbidity by adding minimum amount of dil acetic acid drop wise. To this neutral Cu2+ solution
add about 5 ml of 5% KI solution and stir well. It is then titrated against standadised
Sodiumthiosulphate solution taken in the burette. When the solution becomes pale yellow, add
about 1 ml of freshly prepared starch solution, and then the solution becomes blue in color. The
titration is continued by adding sodium thiosulphate solution drop by drop till the blue colour
[Link] the titration for concordant titre values.
4.0 Result : The Mass percent of copper in given substance:=………………………………..
A : Observations and Calculations
Weight of potassium dichromate crystals (w) = ……….. g
Normality of Potassium dichromate solution (N1)= w/(49.04 x 0.25)
A.1 Standardisation of sodium thiosulphate solution :
Standard K2Cr2O7 Vs odiumthiosulphate Indicator : Starch
[Link] Vol of std.K2Cr2O7(ml) Burette reading [Link]
Initial Final Thiosulphate
solution
(V2ml)
Volume of std. K2Cr2O7 solution(V1) = 20 ml
Volume of sodium thiosulpahte solution(V2) = ......... ml
At the end point
No of equivalents of dichromate = No of equivalents of thiosulphate, ie V1N1 = V2N2
Normality of sodium thiosulphate solution (N2) = V1N1/V2
= 20* N1/ V2
= (X)
A.2 Estimation of Brass
Brass solution Vs Sodiumthiosulphate solution Indicator: Starch
[Link] Vol. of solution of Burette reading [Link]
the substance(ml) Thiosulphate
solution
(V3ml)
Initial Final
Volume of Thiosulphate solution (V3) = ...............ml
Normality of sodium thiosulphate solution(N2) = X
Volume of Brass solution ( V4) = 20 ml
At the end point ,No of [Link] dichromate = No of [Link] thiosulphate,ie V3N2 = V4N4.
Normality of the made up solution of the ore/given substance (N4) = V3N2/V4 = X V3 / 20 = Y
Weight of copper in the made up solution =(Y) * [Link] of copper*100/1000
= Y * 63.54 /10 = (Z)
Weight percent of copper in the given substance = …………….Z*100/w ,
where w=weight of the ore/given substance.
