Neutralization, Methods of

the most important methods of titrimetric analysis. They are based on the neutralization reaction, which may be described in simplified form as H⁺ + OH^- = H₂O.

Methods of neutralization make possible determination of the acid content by titration with a solution of a base (for example, NaOH or KOH) of known concentration, and also determination of the base content by titration with a solution of an acid (for example, HCl) of known concentration. Various chemical indicators, which undergo a sharp color change, are usually used for determining the end point of the titration. In the analysis of turbid or colored solutions, instrumental methods—for example, potentiometric and conductometric methods—are used to establish the end point of the titration.

Titration of acids and bases is usually done in an aqueous medium. In some cases it is expedient to conduct the titration in organic solvent medium, in which the strength of the acids or bases may be different from their strength in aqueous medium. Methods of neutralization are widely used in the chemical monitoring of many types of production, and also in research.