Complexometric titration of total iron with o-mercaptobenzoic acid as indicator

The soluble deep blue complex of iron(II) with o-mercaptobenzoic acid in aqueous pyridine medium (pH 6.4-7.4) can be titrated with EDTA at room temperature with a sharp colour change from blue to light yellow. o-Mercaptobenzoic acid forms a 2:1 complex with iron(II), maximum absorption at 600 nm. Its stability constant was found to be log K = 7.7. With iron(III), a transient blue colour is first formed which soon becomes colourless and then on the addition of excess of reagent, the deep blue complex is formed on reduction of the iron(III). Iron can be titrated in the presence of copper, if the latter is masked with sodium thiosulphate. Cobalt and nickel interfere. Common anions such as chloride, tartrate, phosphate, oxalate, citrate and acetate have no interference.