Titration Useful in Daily Life

Chemistry contains some advanced processes for producing items that regularly help. Analytical chemistry, in general, is a branch of chemical studies that consists of two main aspects. One is qualitative analysis, which involves identifying the chemical species in a given sample. The other is quantitative analysis, which involves the analytical evaluation of the relative or absolute quantity of one, multiple, or all of the specific compounds present in a sample.

Titration is a common quantitative chemical analysis laboratory method used to determine an analyte’s unknown concentration. Volumetric analysis is also used in titration since volume measurements are necessary. Titration is a simple method that involves gradually adding a known concentration solution, called the titrant, to a known volume of an unknown concentration solution, called the analyte, till the reaction reaches neutralisation.

Different titration techniques

1. Acid-Base Titration:
   It is also known as neutralisation titration. The titrant in this acid-base titration is acidic or basic and reacts with the analyte, which is also acidic or basic. The result is obtained through neutralisation (pH 7 Value).

1. Redox Titration:
   In redox titration, the titrant and the analyte undergo oxidation-reduction reactions, i.e. redox reactions, to determine the concentration. The reducing agent reacts with the oxidising agent in a redox reaction until the desired results are attained.

1. Complexometric Titration:
   In this technique, a complex molecule forms between the titrant and the analyte until the reaction is completed. The most common example is EDTA, which has long been used to titrate metal ions in chemical solutions.

1. Precipitation Titration:
   This method is well-known for producing an insoluble precipitate during the reaction. The residue may be seen clearly at the flask’s bottom.

Titration used in daily life

• In medicine and labs:
  Titration plays a crucial role in laboratories in determining the correct anaesthetic dosage during an operation. Titration is also used to check blood sugar levels, look for other diseases, figure out the outcomes of pregnancy tests, and in different types of urine testing.

• In food values and nutrition:
  Through titration, the nutritional breakdown of dietary values can be calculated, which is beneficial in nutrition, particularly for persons with medical concerns that demand special diets. Titration helps describe the amount of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids in foods, the length of the chain, the concentrations of salt and sugar, and the vitamin content in food. Moreover, titration helps determine when wine and cheese have finished ripening and are ready for consumption.

• In the field of science:
  Titration is a biological or chemical approach. It is a technique used in chemistry classes to measure students’ ability to follow lab procedures.

• In the automotive industry:
  Titration is used to produce the most efficient biodiesel fuel in the automotive sector. The fuel concentrations are examined and optimised during production to provide the most efficient biodiesel fuel.

• In aquariums:
  Aquarium water must have the right pH levels for the fish to grow. Titration is used to analyse the water in freshwater and marine life aquariums. Titration can also help maintain the pH levels of household tanks. 

Instruments used for titration

• Automatic titrator
• pH meter 
• Conductivity meter
• Karl Fischer titrator
• Potentiometric titrator
• Thermometric titrator
• Isothermal titration
• Calorimeter and amperometry 

Indicators used in different titrations

1. Phenolphthalein
2. Methyl red
3. Methyl orange
4. Methyl violet
5. Methyl yellow
6. Bromothymol blue
7. Litmus
8. Eriochrome Black T
9. Sodium diphenylamine
10. Starch indicator
11. Thymol blue
12. Crystal violet
13. P-Nitrophenol

Conclusion

In chemistry, titration is essential because it allows for the accurate determination of analyte solution concentrations. Titration progressively adds a basic solution to an acidic solution until the solution is completely neutralised. The endpoint of titration is determined by the colour of the solution, which changes when it is neutralised. Titration is an analytical technique commonly employed in the food, wine, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.