The Formalism of Titration Theory

TCE

The Chemical Educator

ISSN: 1430-4171 (electronic version)

Table of Contents

Abstract Volume 6 Issue 5 (2001) pp 272-276

The Formalism of Titration Theory

Robert de Levie

Department of Chemistry, Bowdoin College, Brunswick ME 04011

Published online: 1 October 2001

Abstract. Acid–base theory can be rationalized by introducing the concept of the proton function, ^HC. Specifically, the pH of any solution is given by ^HC = 0, the buffer strength is given by B = [H⁺]d^HC/d[H⁺], and the titration of any acid or mixture of acids with a base or mixture of bases (or its inverse) is given by ^HC_t V_t = –^HC_sV_s, where t and s denote titrant and sample respectively. The same unifying approach can be extended to complexation, precipitation, and redox equilibria.

Key Words: In the Classroom; analytical chemistry; titration theory

(*) Corresponding author. (E-mail: rdelevie@bowdoin.edu)

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