ASTM E203-08

Titration techniques using KF reagent are one of the most widely used for the determination of water.

Although the volumetric KF titration can determine low levels of water, it is generally accepted that coulometric KF titrations (see Test Method E 1064) are more accurate for routine determination of very low levels of water. As a general rule, if samples routinely contain water concentrations of 500 mg/kg or less, the coulometric technique should be considered.

Applications can be subdivided into two sections: (1) organic and inorganic compounds, in which water may be determined directly, and (2) compounds, in which water cannot be determined directly, but in which interferences may be eliminated by suitable chemical reactions or modifications of the procedure. Further discussion of interferences is included in Section 5 and Appendix X2.

Water can be determined directly in the presence of the following types of compounds:

Note 1—Some acids, such as formic, acetic, and adipic acid, are slowly esterified. For high accuracy with pyridine-based reagents, use 30 to 50 % pyridine in methanol as the solvent. When using pyridine-free reagents, commercially available buffer solutions can be added to the sample prior to titration. With formic acid, it may be necessary to use methanol-free solvents and titrants (1).

Note 2—Examples of stable aldehydes are formaldehyde, sugars, chloral, etc. Formaldehyde polymers contain water as methylol groups. This combined water is not titrated. Addition of an excess of NaOCH₃ in methanol permits release and titration of this combined water, after approximate neutralization of excess base with acetic acid (see Note 9).

Note 3—Weak amines are considered to be those with K_b value <2.4 × 10⁻⁵.

Note 4—Examples of stable ketones are diisopropyl ketone, camphor, benzophenone, benzil, dibenzolacetone, etc.

Note 5—Sulfuric acid up to a concentration of 92 % may be titrated directly; for higher concentrations see Note 13.

Note 6—Compounds subject to oxidation-reduction reactions in an iodine-iodide system interfere.

1.1 This test method is intended as a general guide for the application of the volumetric Karl Fischer (KF) titration for determining free water and water of hydration in most solid or liquid organic and inorganic compounds. This test method is designed for use with automatic titration systems capable of determining the KF titration end point potentiometrically; however, a manual titration method for determining the end point visually is included as Appendix X1. Samples that are gaseous at room temperature are not covered (see Appendix X4). This test method covers the use of both pyridine and pyridine-free KF reagents for determining water by the volumetric titration. Determination of water using KF coulometric titration is not discussed. By proper choice of the sample size, KF reagent concentration and apparatus, this test method is suitable for measurement of water over a wide concentration range, that is, parts per million to pure water.

1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard.

1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific warnings are given in 3.1 and 7.3.3.

1.4 Review the current Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for detailed information concerning toxicity, first aid procedures, and safety precautions for chemicals used in this test procedure.