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Thiosulfate Solutions
JARIES L. KASSNER AND ESTHER E. K.ISSSER
University of Alabama, University, M a .
GREAT many investigations (1-8, 10, 11) of the preservation of sodium thiosulfate solutions have been made.
Stable solutions of sodium thiosulfate are generally prepared (3) b y dissolving sterile sodium thiosulfate crystals in
freshly boiled and cooled distilled water. Many solutions
prepared b y this procedure maintain a constant titer over a
long period of time, while other solutions prepared in exactly
the same way decompose. Since sulfur-eating bacteria,
Thiobanllus thioparus, are present in the air, the stopper may
become contaminated before the bottle is closed or later when
the bottle is opened. As a result, not all solutions prepared
by using freshly boiled water are sterile.
The present investigation was started in a n effort to find
a better method for preparing stable solutions of sodium thiosulfate. It seemed logical to assume that some poison could
be found t h a t would prevent the growth of the sulfur-eating
OF
TABLE
I. EFFECT
CHClP
Ml./l.
CHLOROFORM ON
NORNALITT
.v
.v
0.1054
0.1055
0,1057
0,1056
0.07
0.0963
0,0963
0.0963
0.30
0.0963
0.0852
0.0852
0.0852
0.15
0.0852
a N o more chloroform was added after t h e first day.
0.1054
0.0963
0.0852
tions and the solution was restandardized until 0.5 ml. of chloroform had been added to 1 liter. The addition of 0.5 ml. of chloroform to 1 liter (the total time that elapsed during this addition
was 3 days) of sodium thiosulfate did not affect the fourth significant figure in the normality of the solution.
In all this work the solutions were standardized with a solution
of potassium iodate (9) of approximately the same normality as
the thiosulfate solution. The first standardization was made
each time within less than 2 hours after the solution was prepared.
Bureau of Standards potassium iodate, calibrated weights, and
calibrated volumetric apparatus were used throughout this investigation.
The solutions were prepared from ordinary distilled water and
had a pH of 6.2 to 6.8. If the pH of the distilled water is unknown, it is advisable to add about 0.01 gram of sodium carbonate
per liter. The pH of distilled water can be changed from 5.2 to
9.3 by adding 0.01 gram of sodium carbonate per liter. The
sodium thiosulfate used in this work was not recrystallized or
sterilized in any way before use. The solutions were stored in
clear glass, rubber-stoppered bottles. The rubber stoppers were
cleaned by boiling in dilute caustic solution. Further sterilization is not necessary because the chloroform dissolves in the
stoppers.
Nov., 1938
May, 1939
Nov., 1939
AV
Mar., 1940
N
0.05252
0.02643
0.01405
0.006695
0.05232
0.02875
0.01378
0.006663
0.05207
0.02556
0.01364
0.006640
0.05262
0,05252
0,02646
0.01406
0.006778
0.05251
0.02647
0.01406
0.006778
0.006776
(1 N o more chloroform wasi added in series B
first prepared.
0.02646
0.01406
0 .05250
0.02645
0.05251
0.02646
0.01405
0.006772
0.006774
and C after t h e solutions were
0.01404
Summary
Small amounts of chloroform prevent the decomposition
of sodium thiosulfate stored in rubber-stoppered bottles.
Solutions of approximately 0.05 N or less should be stored
in brown glass, rubber-stoppered bottles.
Sterile sodium thiosulfate solutions that have a p H of 6.2 or
more maintain their titer over a long period of time.
Literature Cited
(1) Bellucci, Italo, and Damiani, I., Gaze. chim. ital., 64, 69 (1934).
(2) Campbell, F. H., and Xatson, F. J., Chem. Eng. Mining Reu.,
22, 340 (1930).
(3) Xilpatrick, M., Jr., and Kilpatrick, >I. L., J. Am. Chem. Soc.,
45. 2132 (1923).
(4) Kolthoff, I: M.; Pharm. Teekblad, 56, 878 (1919); 2. anal.
Chem., 60, 344 (1921).
(5) La Mer, V. K., and Tomlinson, H. M., IND.ENO.CHEM.,Anal.
Ed., 9, 588 (1937).
(6) Rice, F. A,, Kilpatrick, M.,Jr., and Lemkin, K m . , J . Am. Chem.
Soc., 45, 1361 (1923).
(7) Topf, G., 2. anal. Chem., 26, 137 (1887).
(8) Katson, F. J., SOC.Chem. I n d . Vzctorza P I O C .32,
, 679 (1932).
(9) Willard and Furman, Elementary Quantitative Analysis,
3rd ed., p. 269, New York, D . Van Nostrand Co. (1940).
(10) Winkler, L. W.,
Pharm. Zentralhalle, 69, 369 (192s).
(11) Yoshida, I., J. Chem. SOC.Japan., 48, 26 (1927).