DOUBLE INDICATOTRS

If two or more indicators are used to titrate the mixture of solutions, then it is called
double or poly titrations, here the indicators are called double or poly indicators.
Ex: Phenolpthalein( HPh) is a weak organic acid, it is used in only acidic media
If HPh is used as indicators with various reagents the following reactions can take place.
1. Reaction with NaOH : complete reaction can take place
NaOH + HCl or H2SO4 NaCl or Na2SO4 + H2O
2.Reaction with NaHCO3 : No reaction can take place due to high common ion effect
NaHCO3 + HCl or H2SO4 No Reaction
3. Reaction with Na2CO3 : 1st step reaction only can take place or half-neutralisation can
Take place
Na2CO3 + HCl or H2SO4 NaHCO3 + NaCl or NaHSO4
NaHCO3 + HCl or H2SO4 No reaction.
Ex: Methyl orange(MeOH) : weak organic base, it can be used in acidic as well as basic
Media.
1. Reaction with NaOH : complete reaction can take place
NaOH + HCl or H2SO4 NaCl or Na2SO4+ H2O
2.Reaction with NaHCO3 : complete reaction can take place
NaHCO3 + HCl or H2SO4 NaCl or Na2SO4+ H2O + CO2
3. Reaction with Na2CO3 : Complete reaction can take place
Na2CO3 + HCl or H2SO4 NaCl or Na2SO4+ H2O + CO2
Double titrations are two types
1. In two separate experiments addition of HPh and MeOH
MIXTURE

HPh (reacts with)

1. NaOH ( x meq)+ NaHCO3 (y-meq)

2. NaOH ( x meq)+ Na2CO3 (z-meq)

3.

NaHCO3 ( y meq)+ Na2CO3 (z-meq)

MeOH (reacts with)

x-meq

(x + y) meq

z
x+
2

(x + z) meq

z
2

(y + z) meq

2. 2nd type of titration: first addition of HPh after the completion of reaction, for the same beaker adding
MeOH, unreacted part reacts with Acids in presence of MeOH
MIXTURE

HPh (reacts with)

1. NaOH ( x meq)+ NaHCO3 (y-meq)

2. NaOH ( x meq)+ Na2CO3 (z-meq)

3.

NaHCO3 ( y meq)+ Na2CO3 (z-meq)

MeOH (reacts with)

x-meq

y- meq

z
x+
2

z
- meq
2

z
2

(y +

z
) meq
2

Problems:
1. A mixture of NaOH and Na2CO3 required 15ml of N/20 HCl in presence of HPh as a
indicator. But the same amount of solution using MeOH 25ml of N/20 HCl is required.
Find the mass of NaOH.
Ans: it is a 1st type of titration.
Using HPh : NaOH ( x meq)+ Na2CO3 ( y/2 -meq)
x + y/2 = 15 x N/20 ----- 1
Using MeOH: NaOH ( x meq)+ Na2CO3 ( y-meq )
x + y = 25 x N/20 ------2
-3
From 1 and 2 x =0.25meq. == 0.25 x 10 eq
W
W
number of equivalents

0.25 x103 102 g

E.Wt
40
2. 10ml of solution containing NaOH and NaHCO3 required 2.5ml of 0.1M H2SO4 in
presence of HPh as a indicator. MeOH is added for the same container after the
completion of HPh reaction. 2.5ml of 0.2M H2SO4 is required. Find the mass of NaOH.
nd
Ans: it is a 2 type of titration.
Using HPh : NaOH ( x meq) only consumed
x = 2.5 x 1x0.1M
Using MeOH: already NaOH is consumed remaing is NaHCO3 ( y-meq )
y = 2.5 x 1x0.2
-3
x =0.25meq. == 0.25 x 10 eq
W
W
number of equivalents

0.25 x103 102 g /10ml

E.Wt
40
3. 10ml of solution containing Na2CO3 and NaHCO3 required 2.5ml of 0.1M H2SO4 in
presence of HPh as a indicator. MeOH is added for the same container after the
completion of HPh reaction. 2.5ml of 0.2M H2SO4 is required. Find the mass of Na2CO3..
nd
Ans: it is a 2 type of titration : == 84 x 10-3 g/10ml.