CHM 286 Chemical Analysis Laboratory Practice Problems

You have already performed a complexometric titration using EDTA for the determination of
calcium in a marble sample. This week we will be discussing EDTA and complexometric
titrations. Chapter 13 of the textbook covers this topic. The problems to try include A-D; 1-10,
12-13.

Learning Objectives for EDTA Methodology

1. Describe the following: ligand, Lewis acid / base, chelate,
direct titration, back titration, displacement titration,
indirect titration, and masking agent.
2. Perform calculations for the EDTA complexometric titrations
in #1.

Practice Problems
1. The Tl in a 9.76 g sample of rodenticide was oxidized to the trivalent state and treated with
an unmeasured excess of Mg/EDTA solution. The reaction is:
Tl3+ + MgY2- → TlY- + Mg2+
Titration of the liberated Mg2+ required 13.34 mL of 0.03560 M EDTA. Calculate the %Tl2SO4
in the sample.

2. A 50.0 mL solution containing Ni2+ and Zn2+ was treated with 25.0 mL of 0.0452 M EDTA to
bind all the metal. The excess un-reacted EDTA required 12.4 mL of 0.0123 M Mg2+ for
complete reaction. An excess of the reagent 2,3-dimercapto-1-propanol was then added to
displace the EDTA from zinc. Another 29.2 mL of Mg2+ was required for reaction with the
liberated EDTA. Calculate the molarities of Ni2+ and Zn2+ in the original solution.

3. Know the definitions of a

a. Lewis acid
b. Lewis base

4. Hemoglobin is a protein in our red blood cells that transports oxygen. It consists of Fe 3+ and
a heme group. From your reading assignment, choose which group is the:

a. Ligand: Fe3+ OR heme c. Lewis base: Fe3+ OR heme

b. Lewis acid: Fe3+ OR heme d. Chelate: Fe3+ OR heme

1
5. Starting with H6Y2+ as an abbreviation for fully protonated EDTA, draw a line diagram for EDTA
below (including pKa values) and determine the number of sites on the EDTA molecule that are
protonated at a pH = 3.00. In other words, what is the predominant form of EDTA at pH = 3.00?

6. We learned in lecture that in the medical profession EDTA is used to treat lead poisoning.
Intravenous injection of Na2CaEDTA solution is given at 25 mg/kg body mass/day over 6 hours
for 5 days when blood lead levels go over 45 mg/dL. The therapy is limited to 5 days to
prevent Zn2+ depletion. Write the relevant chemical reaction for zinc depletion. What is the
approximate K value for the reaction? Hint: Use Hess’s Law to determine the K.

7. The Zn in a 0.7162 g sample of foot powder was titrated with 21.27 mL of 0.01645 M EDTA.
Calculate the % Zn in the sample.

8. Calamine, which is used for relief of skin irritations, is a mixture of zinc and iron oxides. A
1.022 g sample of dried calamine was dissolved in acid and diluted to 250.0 mL. Potassium
fluoride was added to a 10.00 mL aliquot of the diluted solution to mask the iron; after suitable
adjustment of the pH, Zn2+ consumed 38.71 mL of 0.01294 M EDTA. A second 50.00 mL aliquot
was suitably buffered and titrated with 2.40 mL of 0.002727 M ZnY2- solution:
Fe3+ + ZnY2- FeY- + Zn2+

Calculate the percentages of ZnO and Fe2O3 in the sample.

KEY
1. 1.23% ( displacement titration example)
2. 1.24 x 10-2 M Ni2+, 7.18 x 10-3 M Zn2+
3. Look up in the text if you are not sure
4. A) heme is the ligand, lewis base and chelate; Fe3+ is the lewis acid
5. At pH = 3.00 H2Y2- is predominant (two sites protonated)
6. K = 7.1 x 105
7. 3.195% (direct titration example)
8. 99.73% ZnO and 0.256% Fe2O3