Experiment No.

5: Volumetric Analysis on the Total Acidity of

Acetic Acid in Vinegar and Standardization of Sodium
Hydroxide (NaOH)
ABSTRACT: Acetic acid, CH3COOH is an organic compound that is in form of colorless
solution and it is a weak acid. This acid is the main component of vinegar apart from
water. In this experiment the percent by mass of acetic acid in vinegar is determined by
using titration with a standardized sodium hydroxide, NaOH solution. Putting base into
an acid leads to neutralization reaction. For the standardization, a total of 58.5mL of
NaOH was used. On the other hand, it took 57.5mL of NaOH for the determination of
total acidity of acetic acid in vinegar.

Dessiree Allyssa M. Tina, Audrey John P. Gonzales, Tricia Nicole R. Reonal, Arren Mae
D. Torres. Group 01, 7:30AM-1:30PM Wednesdays, E610, BS BIO 1-4, Department of
Biology, College of Science, Polytechnic University of the Philippines.

Introduction
Titration is the slow addition of one solution of a known concentration (called a
titrant) to a known volume of another solution of unknown concentration until the
reaction reaches neutralization, which is often indicated by a color change. The solution
called the titrant must satisfy the necessary requirements to be a primary or secondary
standard.

As future scientists with exceptional amount of passion in learning and gaining

ability, the experience from this experiment was indeed of great help, definitely would be
very useful in the future as we become professionals.

Executing the laboratory experiment aimed to (1) determine the total acid
component of vinegar, (2)to determine the equivalence point of the reaction, and (3)to gain
confidence in performing titration.

Methodology

a. Reagents
Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is a basic solution and has the ability to raise pH of
chemical solutions, for example it useful for neutralization of acids.
Potassium hydrogen phthalate (KHP) is the chemical reagent for
standardization.
Phenolphthalein was added to the chemical solution subject to titration as a
color indicator.
Acetic Acid (CH3COOH) in vinegar is used and diluted in water to produce a
chemical solution to be titrated.
Deionized water or CO2-free distilled water is used as a solvent for the
chemical reagent to produce liquid solutions.
Reagents listed/used were issued by the Polytechnic University of the
Philippines.
b. Equipments & Apparatus

Iron stand with clamp, was used to hold the 50 mL Burette in between the
rubber holder of the clamp so it would not slip off and fall during the titration
process a 1 liter and 250mL Erlenmeyer flasks were used to contain the chemical
agent solution for titration placed below the end of burette and on top of the base
of the stand with a white paper underneath it. Also, a volumetric pipet and
aspirator were used to transfer liquid solutions into the burette.
 c. Personal Protective Equipment

Dealing with highly corrosive (even possibly corrosive) materials has an

automatic order of compliance onto strict full body covering, including thick and
sterile gloves, long sleeved white laboratory coat, and mask for damaging
splashes from NaOH and acids.

d. Experimental Procedure
1. Standardization of NaOH
1L deionized water in an Erlenmeyer flask and 1.99 grams of NaOH
was diluted in the prepared deionized water. 0.6666 grams of analytical
grade KHP was weighed and diluted in 25mL to 50 mL of deionized water
in a 250 mL Erlenmeyer flask. About 2 to 3 drops of phenolphthalein
color indicator was added in KHP solution. Initially, 50mL of NaOH was
transferred in the burette. Record the volume of NaOH used until a very
pale pink solution is achieved.

2. Determination of Acidity
10 mL of acetic acid (vinegar) was diluted in 90 mL of deionized water
yielding a 100 mL solution or a solution ten folds of the amount of solute with
a ratio of 1:9 in a 250mL Erlenmeyer flask. 50mL of NaOH was initially
transferred in the burette. Add about 2 to 3 drops of phenolphthalein color
indicator in Acetic acid solution.

3. Calculation
Calculate the standardized value of NaOH, total acidity percentage by
mass of acetic acid and the amount in moles of KHP used in standardization
for each trial.

Results and Discussions

Table 1. Shows the initial volume of NaOH, its final volume and the total volume of the
solution used for standardization.

Trial Used mL Deionized Initial volume Final Volume Total mL of

no. KHP (g) water of NaOH of NaOH NaOH used
1 0.6663 g 25mL 60mL 8.5 mL 58.5 mL
2 0.6668 g 25mL 129mL 45 mL 96 mL

Table 2. Shows the initial volume of NaOH, its final volume and the total volume of the
solution used for determining the total acidity of acetic acid in vinegar..

Initial Final
mL mL Deionized Total mL of
Trial no. volume of Volume of
CH3COOH water NaOH used
NaOH NaOH
1 10 mL 90 mL 60 mL 7.5 mL 57.5 mL

1. Standardization
In acquiring the quantitative acid content of acetic acid, classical
titration method started with the standardization to determine the
concentration and the used volume of the titrant through trials.

Summary
The standardization of potassium hydrogen phthalate and determination of the
total acidity of acetic acid in vinegar was successfully executed where no back titrations
were needed and a very pale pink titrated solutions were perfectly accomplished. And the
standardized value and acidity percentage by mass was calculated and shown accordingly
in the Results and Discussion section of this report. There were measurement errors
wherein the exact weight of reagents cannot be achieved depending on the analytical
balance available in the laboratory, though this could be adjusted.
In titrating, loads of patience is needed. Never rush into pouring sodium
hydroxide into titrate or you might perform back-titration to remove any excess. Take it
easy and have fun while learning.

Acknowledgements

We would like to express our overflowing appreciation to our laboratory

instructor, Engr. Florence Joie Lacsa for passionately guiding the students safely
throughout the execution of the experiment. Also, Mr. Ronnel Capuli for the help in
preparing the chemical reagents and laboratory equipment.

Taxpayers and citizens deserve more than our thanks for giving us the opportunity
to attend in such a respected university and making us proud Iskolar ng Bayan.

Lastly, we express our deepest gratitude to our parents for helping us prepare
ourselves before coming to the university and for their endless encouragement.

References
Azhari, E., & Azhari, E. (n.d.). Lab report DETERMINATION OF
CONCENTRATION OF ACETIC ACID IN VINEGAR. Retrieved from
https://www.academia.edu/35168525/Lab_report_DETERMINATION_OF_CON
CENTRATION_OF_ACETIC_ACID_IN_VINEGAR

Additional sources:
PUP Chemistry Laboratory Manual

Appendix
Calculations
Trial 1
𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 KHP 0.6663𝑔 KHP
𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑠 KHP = = 𝑔 = 0.003262 𝑚𝑜𝑙 KHP
𝑀𝑊 KHP 204.22 KHP
𝑚𝑜𝑙
𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 KHP 0.003262 𝑚𝑜𝑙 KHP
𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑠 KHP = = = 0.13048 𝑀 KHP
𝐿 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑛 KHP 0.025 𝐿 KHP

Eq. 1.1. The concentration of KHP.

1𝑚𝑜𝑙 NaOH 1𝑚𝑜𝑙 NaOH

𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑠 NaOH = 𝑚𝑜𝑙 KHP × = 0.003262 𝑚𝑜𝑙 KHP ×
1𝑚𝑜𝑙 KHP 1𝑚𝑜𝑙 KHP
= 0.003262𝑚𝑜𝑙 NaOH

0.003262 𝑚𝑜𝑙 NaOH

𝑀 NaOH = = 0.0558𝑀 𝑁𝑎𝑂𝐻
0. 05005 𝐿

Eq. 1.2. The concentration of NaOH.

The concentration of both NaOH and KHP determines the used

NaOH volume expressed in L.

𝐿 NaOH = 50𝑚𝐿 𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 + 8.2𝑚𝐿 𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 = 58.5𝑚𝐿 𝑁𝑎𝑂𝐻 𝑢𝑠𝑒𝑑

Eq. 1.3. The total NaOH volume used.

Trial 2

𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 KHP 0.6668𝑔 KHP

𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑠 KHP = = 𝑔 = 0.0032635 𝑚𝑜𝑙 KHP
𝑀𝑊 KHP 204.22 KHP
𝑚𝑜𝑙
 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 KHP 0.0032635 𝑚𝑜𝑙 KHP
𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑠 KHP = = = 0.1306 𝑀 KHP
𝐿 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑛 KHP 0.025 𝐿 KHP

Eq. 2.1. The concentration of KHP.

1𝑚𝑜𝑙 NaOH 1𝑚𝑜𝑙 NaOH

𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑠 NaOH = 𝑚𝑜𝑙 KHP × = 0.0032635 𝑚𝑜𝑙 KHP × = 0.0032635 𝑚𝑜𝑙 NaOH
1𝑚𝑜𝑙 KHP 1𝑚𝑜𝑙 KHP

0.003265 𝑚𝑜𝑙 NaOH

𝑀 NaOH = = 0.034 𝑁𝑎𝑂𝐻
0. 096 𝐿

Eq. 2.2. The concentration of NaOH.

𝐿 NaOH = 50.0𝑚𝐿 + 40.0𝑚𝐿 + 39.0𝑚𝐿 = 96.0𝑚𝐿 𝑁𝑎𝑂𝐻 𝑢𝑠𝑒𝑑

1. The percentage value of acetic acid

In the Erlenmeyer flask, the diluted vinegar was transferred into the
buret with 2 or 3 drops of phenolphthalein.

𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐴𝑐𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑑

𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑑 = moles NaOH ( )
𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑁𝑎𝑂𝐻

1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐴𝑐𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑑 60.052𝑔 Acetic acid

𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑑 = 0.0032635 mol NaOH ( )( )
1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑁𝑎𝑂𝐻 1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 Acetic acid

∴ 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑑 = 0.1959g

Eq. 3.1. The mass of Acetic acid.

𝑤 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 Acetic acid 0.1959 𝑔

% 𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑑 = 𝑥 100% = = 0.20%
𝑤 mass solution 99.72𝑔

Eq. 3.2. The weight by weight percent of Acetic acid.

The relative amount of acetic acid in the solution concentration is

0.20%.

________________________________
Gonzales, Audrey John P.
BS Biology 1-4

________________________________
Torres, Arren D.
BS Biology 1-4

________________________________
Reonal, Tricia Nicole R.
BS Biology 1-4

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Tina, Dessiree M.
BS Biology 1-4