Name: Crystal Lewis

Date: 22/11/2016

Lab: #10

Title: Redox titration

Theory: Bleach is used as a disinfectant because of its ability to oxidize the cell membranes
of bacteria. It is also used to remove stains in clothing. The colors of many dyes and stains
are due to the presence of multiple (double and triple) bonds in organic molecules. The
percent of available chlorine is usedshow the strength of a bleaching agent.. It is actually the
ratio of the of the bleach mixture expressed as a percentage. It contains hypochlorite ions that
are composed of chlorine and oxygen with the chemical formula ClO-.
In this experiment, the concentration of the active ingredient will be determined by titrimetric
analysis where the hypochlorite ion is treated with Iodide in potassium iodide, which results
in the production of Iodine (I2). This is then titrated with sodium thiosulphate with a starch
indicator.

Aim: To determine the percentage of available chlorine in sodium hypochlorite solution

Apparatus/Materials:
Bleach
Graduated flask
Potassium iodide
Acetic acid
Distilled water
Pipette
Standardized (0.1M) sodium thiosulphate (Na2S2O3)
Starch indicator
Electronic balance
Burette
Retort stand

Method:
1. 10cm3 of bleach was pipetted into a 250cm3 graduated flask. The contents of the flask
were made up to the mark with distilled water and mixed thoroughly.
2. Sodium thiosulphate was place in a burette.
3. 25cm3 aliquot parts of the solution was pipetted into a conical flask to which 1.5g of
potassium iodide and 10cm3 of glacial acetic acid was added. The mixture was then
titrated with sodium thiosulphate.
4. 2cm3 of starch indicator was added near the end point.
Results
Table 1: Titre values

Rough Accurate
Final burette reading/cm3 4.2 10 16.0 21.8

Initial burette reading/cm3 0 4.2 10.0 16.0

Volume of Sodium 4.2 5.8 6.0 5.8

thiosulphate used/cm3

Data analysis:
1) Average titre value of Na2S2O3 = 5.8 + 6.0 + 5.8 = 17.6/3
= 5.86
2) I2(aq) + 2S2O32-(aq)  2I-(aq) + S4O62-(aq)

1000cm3 of Na2S2O3 = 0.1 moles

1cm3 of Na2S2O3 = 0.1/1000
5.86 of Na2S2O3 = 0.1/1000 x 5.86
= 0.000586 moles

I2 : 2S2O32-
1:2 mole ratio

Therefore, the number of moles that reacted = 0.000586/2

= 0.000293 moles

3) OCl-(aq_ + 2I-(aq) + 2H+(aq)  I2(aq) + Cl- + H2O(l)

I2:OCl-
1:1 mole ratio
Number of moles of I2 = Number of OCl-
= 0.000293 moles

NaOCl(aq) + 2HCl(aq)  Cl2(aq) + NaCl(aq) + H2O(l)

From the balanced equation, 1 mole of Cl2 is liberated from 1 mole of OCl-
Number of moles of OCl- = Number of moles of Cl2
= 0.000293 moles

4) 25cm3 of solution = 0.000293 moles of Cl2

 1000cm3 of solution = 0.000293/25 x 1000
= 0.01172 moles
 5) Mass of chlorine in 1000cm3 of solution = Moles x RMM
= 0.01172 x (2 x 35.5)
= 0.01172 x 71
= 0.83212

6) Percentage of available chlorine = 0.83212/10 x 25

= 2.08%

Sources of error
1) The exact end point of the titration could have been overshot as the first observable
pink colour change indicated this. However, this may have been difficult to read with
complete accuracy do to improper mixing of the contents of the flask or one’s
perception of colour.
2) Not swirling the conical flask vigorously.

Limitations
1. Not taken into account the degree of uncertainty of the glass measuring instruments,
that is, the burette and pipette.

Conclusion
The percentage of available chlorine in sodium hypochlorite solution was found to be 2.08%.