Sulfate in macro-quantities was rapidly determined by titrating its hot solution with a standard 0.3
N BaCl
2 solution, using preservable Na rhodizonate test paper as an external indicator. The standard BaCl
2 solution may be standardized either by the usual gravimetric method or by the volumetric method of using (NH
4)
2SO
4 solution prepared by neutralizing a know volume of a standard 0.3
N H
2SO
4 with NH
4OH. The spot test upon a Na rhodizonate test paper for Ba
++ was sensitively done by touching a very small quantity of the sample solution several times on the same spot, using a glass rod with a fine tip (diam. 1-2mm.). The procedure is carried out as follows: 0.4-0.5g sample of (NH
4)
2SO
4, Na
2SO
4 or K
2SO
4 (or their bisulfate) was taken into a 300-ml conical beaker, diluted to about 100ml with hot water (or the sample solution was neutralized with NH
4OH or CH
3 CO
2H against methyl red, if necessary), heated at 90-100°C and titrated immediately at a moderate speed with 0.3
N BaCl
2 until near the expected end point, then titrated dropwise with thorough stirring until the pink spot or ring was just appeared upon the Na rhodizonate test paper. When the solution became cool, it should be reheated for the titration and the end point should be determined at above 60°C. In the back-titration method, the excess of 0.3
N BaCl
2 was added and back-titrated with the standard 0.3
N (NH
4)
2SO
4 until the pink spot upon the test paper was just disappeared. The effect of the presence of various substances were studied in the present procedure. For technical use, determination of sulfate such as (NH
4)
2SO
4 in fertilizer was satisfactory carried out. The present method of determination for sulfate in macro-quantities can be carried out within 10minutes without using any organic solvent, or special and expensive apparatus.
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