Wasserbestimmung in Phenolen durch Karl-Fischer-Titration

Summary Karl Fischer titration can be applied to many phenols without any interference, though some are oxidized during titration. One-component reagents are to be preferred because they are less sensitive to interferences. Only pyrogallol and aminophenols are oxidized in this case. With two-component reagents dihydroxybenzenes and naphthols are oxidized, too. With coulometric titration interferences are more frequent. The oxidation rate depends on the pH and can be suppressed or minimised by adding salicylic acid to the Karl Fischer reagent.