Kinetics and stoichiometry in the Karl Fischer solution

The mechanisms of the Karl Fischer (K.F.) reaction are reviewed and further investigated. Both kinetic measurements of the iodine concentration and chromatographic determinations of the reaction products were performed. In alcoholic solutions mainly alkyl sulfite is oxidized, and a reaction via partial formation of sulfur trioxide is proposed. In methanol an exact 1:1 stoichiometry (H2O:I2) has been verified. In the aprotic, dipolar solvents acetonitrile, DMF and propylene carbonate HSO3- is oxidized by iodine. Based on formation and subsequent hydrolysis of base - SO3 adducts the stoichiometric factor for water is determined by type and concentration of the base, by the concentration of water and by the solvent itself. - In K.F. reagents the oxidation of SO2 by aerial oxygen to sulfate and alkyl sulfate takes place as a side reaction.