The properties of the interfacial antimony cell and its application in potentiometric titrations of alkaloids in non-conducting solutions

Abstract

The behaviour of an interfacial antimony device in potentiometric titrations in non-conducting solutions is described. In tests of the device, various alkaloids were titrated with organic acids, p-toluenesulphonic acid being the most satisfactory. The non-conducting media examined were chloroform, ligroin, benzene and carbon tetrachloride. In all cases, solutions of the titrant and the sample were prepared in the same organic solvent. Alkaloids in the range 10−3–10−4 M could usually be titrated with a precision of about 2%.