Introduction
This method determines the vitamin C concentration
in a solution by a redox titration with potassium iodate
in the presence of potassium iodide. Vitamin C, more
properly called ascorbic acid, is an essential antioxidant
needed by the human body (see additional notes).
When iodate ions (IO3
−
) are added to an acidic solution
containing iodide ions (I−
), an oxidation-reduction
reaction occurs;
- the iodate ions are reduced to form iodine
IO
3
−
+ 6 H+
+ 5 e− → ½ I2
+ 3 H2
O
- while the iodide ions are oxidised to form iodine.
2 I− → I2
+ 2 e−
Combining these half-equations demonstrates the
reaction between iodate and iodide
2 IO
3
−
+ 10 I−
+ 12 H+ → 6 I2
+ 6 H2
O
It is the iodine formed by this reaction that oxidises the
ascorbic acid to dehydroascorbic acid as the iodine is
reduced to iodide ions.
ascorbic acid + I2 → 2 I−
+ dehydroascorbic acid
Due to this reaction the iodine formed is immediately
reduced to iodide as long as there is any ascorbic acid
present. Once all the ascorbic acid has been oxidised,
the excess iodine is free to react with the starch
indicator, forming the blue-black starch-iodine complex.
This is the endpoint of the titration.
The method is suitable for use with Vitamin C tablets,
fresh or packaged fruit juices and solid fruits and
vegetables.
NB: This method is really the same as titrating ascorbic
acid directly with iodine solution (see Vitamin C Method
using Iodine). However, this method is more reliable
as the potassium iodate solution is more stable than