Why do we need to do neutralization in clause 54.1 of ASTM D460?

1 Answer
Jul 26, 2017

See below.

Explanation:

The determination of chloride by titration with silver nitrate using potassium chromate as an indicator is called the Mohr method.

It is based on the formation of a red precipitate of #"Ag"_2"CrO"_4# at the endpoint after all the chloride has been precipitated as #"AgCl"#.

#"2Ag"^"+""(aq)" + "CrO"_4^"2-""(aq)" → underbrace("Ag"_2"CrO"_4"(s)")_color(red)("red precipitate")#

If the solution is acidic, the chromate is converted to dichromate.

#"2CrO"_4^"2-" + 2"H"^"+" → "Cr"_2"O"_7^"2-" + "H"_2"O"#

The endpoint then either comes too late or cannot be detected at all.