Determination of Water Content in Methyl Ethyl Ketone, 2-Butanone Using Karl Fischer Titration

Product Group

Ketones

General Information concerning the product group

Ketones

During water determination after Karl Fischer (KF) aldehydes and ketones cause side reactions with the normally utilised methanol. Both side reactions, i.e. the formation of acetals and ketals, as well as bisulphite addition, can often be recognised by dragging end points and lead to wrong results. During acetal or ketal formation water is released which simulates water contents that are too high. Bisulphite addition, however, consumes water, leading to results that are too low. The extent of the interferences depends on the reactivity of the substances as well as the reactivity of the utilised KF solutions. Through utilisation of specific KF reagents for aldehydes and ketones it is possible to largely suppress the side reactions. The coulometric method is not recommended.

Special Information concerning the sample and the methods

The reactivity of ketones decreases with increasing chain length. The influence of disturbing side reactions for this substance is therefore less characteristic than for acetone. KF titration is carried out with methanol-free reagents, whereby two alternatives are at hand: CombiTitrant 5 Keto + CombiSolvent Keto, or CombiTitrant 2 + CombiSolvent.

Titration one component system

Reagents:

Titrant
188006 Aquastar^® - CombiTitrant 5 Keto - One component reagent for volumetric Karl Fischer titration of aldehydes & ketones, 1 mL = approx. 5 mg water

Solvent
30 mL 188007 Aquastar^® - CombiSolvent Keto - Solvent for volumetric Karl Fischer titration with one component reagents for aldehydes & ketones

Titration Parameters:
Titration settings for methanol-free solvents:
I(pol) = 20 µA, U(EP) = 100 - 250 mV
Stop criterion for fast end point: drift < 30 µL/min

Sample size:
10 mL

Procedure:
The titration medium is first placed into the titration cell and titrated dry by means of the titrant. Then the sample is added with a syringe (exact determination through weighing of syringe before and after injection) or volumetric pipette and titration started. Titration is carried out to fast end point.