In: Chemistry
Laboratory question:
I have a solution of a known amount of Sulfuric acid as a catalyst. The reaction is a esterfication of the two reactants ethanol and acetic acid with known amounts, and the Product is ethyl acetate and water. When the reaction reach equilibrium, the purpose is to figure out how much acetic acid is left (still reactant). The only permissible method for this is titration with NaOH and find the amount unreacted acetic acid, but there is a problem, we also have the catalyst in the solution. How can we make a titration and figure out the amount of acetic acid ?