Linear titration plots for the analysis of mixtures of three weak acids or bases

Linearly related functions have been derived which enable mixtures of three weak acids or bases in solution to be analysed by means of pH-titration data. This theory has been tested with data from the titration of a variety of mixtures of acids. The data required for the functions are pH, volume of titrant, the equilibrium constants relevant to the mixture, and an independently determined equivalence volume. This may be the equivalence volume for one of the components of the mixture or the sum of the equivalence volumes for any two or all three of the components. It is immaterial how this equivalence volume is obtained, but it is usually possible to obtain the total equivalence volume from data in another part of the same titration curve (when a large excess of titrant has been added).