3-methyl-2-oxazolidone as a solvent for acid-base titrations

3-Methyl-2-oxazolidone has been evaluated as a solvent for the titration of various weak carboxylic acids and phenols. Its high dielectric constant and wide liquid range contribute to its outstanding solvent properties. Tetrabutylammonium hydroxide was the titrant. End-points were determined potentiometrically with a glass-calomel electrode system. FORTRAN computer programs were used to evaluate the results, and relative acid strengths were determined and related to the aqueous acidity. The accuracies obtained are comparable to those for other solvent media. An 800-mV potential span is available in this solvent, which may allow differentiating titrations to be performed. No titrations of acid mixtures were attempted, but it was found possible to distinguish both neutralization steps for salicylic acid and o-phthalic acid.