Perchloric acid 0.1N in Acetic Acid

In pure form, perchloric acid (70%) is potentially dangerous if certain conditions are present. It is an oxidizer, and it is also used to synthesize salts, some of which are used as rocket fuel. It is a strong acid because of the high oxidation strength of the chlorine atom. Historically, an industrial tragedy occurred in 1947 when a factory exploded, with fatalities and many injured. But the concentration of perchloric acid in the acetic acid solvent (0.1N solution) is quite low – about 1% by volume, and the main hazard for this titrant is related to the acetic acid, due to its corrosive/harmful vapors, and flammability.

This Normality solution is used in the laboratory mainly to titrate amino acids. The solvent acetic acid is treated with acetic anhydride to convert the water present in both perchloric acid and acetic acid into an anhydrous acetic acid matrix. The indicator for this titration is crystal violet, and the endpoint is a blue – greenish. If the titration continues to an emerald green, it means it has gone too far. Another titration should be done to determine  a blank value for the acetic acid itself, and the final value should account for this blank.

Exaxol gives this product a 1 year shelf life. This solution is made and tested in our ISO 17025 Accredited laboratory.