Reaction rates between water and the Karl Fischer reagent

Reaction rates between water and the Karl Fischer reagent have been determined by potentiometric measurement for various compositions of the Karl Fischer reagent. The study has been made with an iodine complex concentration of 0.3-1.2 mM and sulphur dioxide complex at 0.01-0.5M. The concentration of excess of pyridine had no measurable effect on the rate of the main reaction. The reaction was found to be first-order with respect to iodine complex, to sulphur dioxide complex, and to water. The rate constant was (1.2+/-0.2) x 10(3) 1(2). mole(-2). sec(-1). In an ordinary titration it is therefore essential to keep the sulphur dioxide concentration high for the reaction to go to completion within a reasonable time. The extent of side-reactions was found to be independent of the iodine concentration at low concentrations. The side-reactions increased somewhat with increasing sulphur dioxide pyridine concentrations and decreased to about 60% when the temperature was lowered from 24 degrees to 7 degrees.