Titraukseen

Titraukseen, the Finnish term for titration, is a quantitative chemical analysis method used to determine the concentration of an unknown solution by reacting it with a solution of known concentration, the titrant. The process relies on a defined stoichiometric relationship between titrant and analyte and ends at the endpoint, when the reaction is complete.

In a typical procedure, the analyte is placed in a flask or beaker, and the burette is filled with the titrant. The initial volume is recorded, and the titrant is added gradually while mixing until the endpoint is reached. The endpoint is detected by a physical change, such as a color change of an indicator, or by instrumental signals from a pH meter, conductometer, or other sensors. The concentration of the unknown solution is calculated from the volume of titrant used and the known concentration, using the balanced chemical equation.

Common variants include acid–base titrations, redox titrations, and complexometric titrations (for example with EDTA). Direct titration, back titration, and standardized titrants are frequently employed. Indicators such as phenolphthalein or methyl orange, and instrumentation like pH meters, broaden the methods for endpoint detection.

Equipment typically includes a burette, a pipette, and a flask, with standardization of the titrant using primary standards to ensure accuracy. Applications span pharmaceuticals, environmental analysis, water quality, and food chemistry, where precise concentration determinations are essential for quality control and compliance.