Preparation of Reagent In Laboratory

Before discussing the procedure for the preparation of reagent, it is pertinent that we are familiar with the measurement system. The mass of a body is defined as the quantity of matter contained in the body and is expressed in kilogramme (kg) while volume is the amount of space occupied by a substance and is expressed in cubic metres (m) smaller units of mass such as grammes (g) and smaller units of volume such as cubic centimeter (cm3) or ml are also used.



Therefore, all solids are measured in grammes,   kilogrammes while all liquids are measured in ml, litres. Weighing balance is used to measure solids while pipette, burette, measuring cylinder are used for measuring liquid.

Normally, the stock solution is diluted with water at a particular concentration. Concentration is the amount of solute in a given volume of the solution.

They are three basic preparation of reagent in chemistry laboratory. This includes; Preparation of acid solutions, preparation of basic solution and percentage solutions.

Preparation of Acid Solution

Before preparing the acid solution, take note of the Specific gravity, percentage purity, and the molar mass of the stock solution at the sticker on the bottle of the stock solution. Specific gravity, percentage purity and molar mass of widely used acid are given in the table below:

Acid	SG	% Purity	Molar mass	% purity	g/dm3
H2SO4	1.84	99.9	98	100	1000
HCl	1.18	35.5	36.5	100	1000
HNO3	1.42	69	63	100	1000

         

After the above is gotten, calculate using the formular

S.G X g/dm³X %Purity

Molar mass X 100

1M = 1000/answer above

1M of HCl in 1 litre  is therefore;

  1.18 X 1000 X 35.5

         36.5 X 100

41890

3650

          1M= 1000    = 87ml

                    11.5

1M HCl in 1 litre = 87ml of conc.  Hcl will be diluted with 1000ml of distilled water.

The 87ml of conc. HCl is turned into the volumetric flask containing 1000ml of water. Care should be taken not to turn water into acid to avoid explosion.

Preparation of Basic Solutions

Before measuring the stock material, take note of the molar mass of the base in question. For example, the molar mass of NaOH is 40g.

To make the picture clearer, let’s prepare 1M NaOH in 1 litre

1M of NaOH in litre will be dissolving 40g of Stock NaOH in 1 litre of distilled water.

1M NaOH in 500ml will be 20g of stock NaOH in 500ml of distilled water.

 Preparation of percentage solutions

This solutions can be acid or base prepared in terms of percentage. Usually, 1% of a solution will be measuring 1ml for liquid or 1g for solid and dissolving in little water in a volumetric flask and then continue turning the water until it reaches the 100ml mark.

40% NaOH for example will be dissolving 40g of NaOH in a little water in a volumetric flask and add more water until it reaches the 100ml mark.