16.
ESTIMATION OF ZINC IN ZINC ORE BY
EDTA METHOD
Aim: Estimation of Zinc present in Zinc ore solution by titrating against a standardized
EDTA solution using Eriochrome Black- T as indicator.
Theory: Zinc in a given ore sample solution can be determined by using the complexometric
method, in which the Disodium salt of EDTA is employed (soluble in water) and it can be
represented as follows.
(EDTA – Ethylene Diamine Tetra Acetic acid)
HOOCH2C CH2COONa
N-CH2 - CH2 -N
NaOOCH2C CH2COOH
EDTA forms complexes with Mn+ (Ca+2/Mg+2/Za+2 etc.,)when the pH is in the range of
around 9.5 to 10.5 and to maintain the pH, a basic buffer solution is used (NH4OH + NH4Cl
buffer serves pH 9.5 to 10.5). The metal-EDTA complexes are colourless, therefore it is
necessary to use indicator to locate the end point. In this titration Eriochrome black – T is
used as indicator, which forms an unstable wine red coloured complex with zinc. When once
all the zinc ions are completely removed by EDTA, free indicator is left in the solution which
imparts blue colour to the solution. So the colour change at the end point is wine red to
blue.
Zn2+ (aq) +In2- pH−10
⎯⎯ ⎯→ [Zn-In] + EDTA4- (aq) ⎯⎯ ⎯→ Zn(EDTA)
pH−10 2-
(aq) + In2-
Unstable wine Stable complex Free indicator
red coloured Blue in colour
complex
Part – I:
Standardisation of di-sodium salt of EDTA solution by titrating against a standard
solution of zinc sulphate.
Procedure:
10.0 ml of standard zinc sulphate solution is pipetted out into a clean conical flask
carefully. To this 2 or 3 ml of ammonia - ammonium chloride buffer solution (pH 9.5 – 10.5)
and 2 or 3 drops of Eriochrome Black – T indicator are added. The burette is filled with
EDTA solution, after rinsing with same and the initial reading is noted. Now the contents
are titrated with EDTA solution until the colour changes from wine red to blue which is the
end point of the reaction. The final reading of the burette is noted. A number of titration
are carried out until 3 or 4 concurrent readings are obtained. The results are tabulated in
Table– I.
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Table – I
Standardization of EDTA solution with standard zinc sulphate solution
Morality of standard solution of EDTA ____________ M
Indicator: Eriochrome Black – T.
Colour change at the end point: Wine red to blue
Volume of Zinc sulphate Burette readings Volume of EDTA solution
S.No. solution taken in ml. Initial Final consumed in ml.
Calculations:
By the law of equivalence V1 M1/n1 = V2 M2/n2
M1 = Molarity of EDTA solution = ?
V1 = Volume of EDTA solution = ml.
n 1 = Number of moles of EDTA =
M2 = Molarity of zinc sulphate solution = M
V2 = Volume of zinc sulphate solution = ml.
n2 = Number of moles of zinc sulphate =
∴ M 1 = V 2 M 2 n 1 / N 2 V1
The Molarity of EDTA solution = _____________ M
Part -II:
Estimation of Zinc present in Zinc ore solution by titrating against a standardized
EDTA solution using Eriochrome Black- T as indicator.
Procedure:
The given zinc ore solution (as sulphate) is diluted up to the mark of volumetric flask with
distilled water carefully. The flask is stoppered tightly and is shaken thoroughly about 3-5
minutes for complete homogenization. 10.0 ml of the zinc ore solution is pipetted out into a
clean conical flask carefully. To this 2 or 3 ml of ammonia - ammonium chloride buffer
solution (pH 9.5 – 10.5) and 2 or 3 drops of Eriochrome Black – T indicator are added. The
burette is filled with EDTA solution, after rinsing with same and the initial reading is noted.
Now the contents are titrated with EDTA solution until the colour changes from wine red to
blue which is the end point of the reaction. The final reading of the burette is noted. A
number of titration are carried out until 3 or 4 concurrent readings are obtained. The
results are tabulated in Table– II.
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Table – II
Titration of standard EDTA solution with zinc ore solution
Morality of standard solution of EDTA ____________ M
Indicator: Eriochrome Black – T.
Colour change at the end point: Wine red to blue
Volume of Zinc ore solution Burette readings Volume of EDTA solution
S.No. taken in ml. Initial Final consumed in ml.
Calculations:
By the law of equivalence V3 M3/ n 3 = V4 M4/ n 4
M3 = Molarity of EDTA solution = M
V3 = Volume of EDTA solution = ml.
n 3 = Number of moles of EDTA =
M4 = Molarity of zinc ore solution = ?
V4 = Volume of zinc ore solution = ml.
n 4 = Number of moles of zinc sulphate =
∴ M 4 = V 3 M 3 n 4 / n 3 V4
The Molarity of zinc ore solution = _____________ M
Molecular weight of zinc = atomic weight = 65.39
Amount of zinc present in 1 liter of solution = {Normality of zinc ore solution x molecular
weight of zinc} = g
Amount of zinc present in the given 100 ml of zinc ore solution ={ amount present in 1 liter
of the solution / 10 } = g
Table – III
Percentage Error Table
Roll No. / Amount of zinc present in the given100 Percentage
Regd. No. Flask No. ml of ore solution in Grams. of error
Reported Given
Report: The amount of zinc present in the given 100 ml of an unknown solution is
_________ g.
-----00000----
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