Acid-Base Titrations: Analysis of Antacid Tablets

Sandra Perante
Rica Mae Reyes
Aradhell Romasanta
Joshua Salud
De La Salle University- Dasmarias
Dasmarias, Cavite Philippines
ABSTRACT
The analysis of antacid tablets was highlighted in the experiment. : The measurements will use a
titration to find what volume of hydrochloric acid an antacid tablet will neutralize. Some of the most
common bases that are used as antacids are: Mg (OH) 2, magnesium hydroxide Al (OH) 3,
aluminium hydroxide. These chemicals are used because they are weak bases - strong bases
would lead to the risk of damaging the stomach if too much was taken. Bases neutralize acids by
reacting with them to produce a salt and water. First, crushed and weighed two antacid tablets
(simeco) then the next follows. The experiment that has been conducted only shows how antacid
tablets counteract acidity by reacting with the excess hydrochloric acid in the stomach and its
effectiveness as one of the most widely used self prescribed medicine.

INTRODUCTION
Acid-Base titration determines the concentration of an acid or base by exactly neutralizing the acid
or base with an acid or base of known concentration. This allows for quantitative analysis of the
concentration of an unknown acid or base solution. Antacids are agents that neutralize the gastric
acid and raise the gastric pH, so are used to treat dyspepsia and are used as symptomatic relief of
peptic ulcer. Antacids in common use salts of magnesium, aluminium and calcium.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Two tablets (Simeco and Shelogel) were separately crushed using a mortar and pestle and
weighed. The crushed tablets were then transferred to an Erlenmeyer flask then we
measured 50mL of 0.1 M HCl using an acid burette and mixed with the crushed tablets.
After achieving total dissolution, 2-3 drops of phenolphthalene indicator was added into the
mixture. After that, the mixture was titrated with 0.1 M NaOH until the mixture turned pale
pink. After getting the measurements, we later calculated the weight of HCl that reacted
with the tablets.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

The table below will show the data gathered whilst performing the activity.
No. of Trials

SHELOGEL (1st)

SIMECO (2nd)

Wt. of tablet

1.584g

0.445

Final volume of NaOH Used

5.5mL

35.1mL

Initial volume of NaOH

0mL

5.5mL

Molarity of NaOH

0.1M

0.1M

No. of Trials

SHELOGEL (1st)

SIMECO (2nd)

Molarity of HCl

0.1M

0.1M

Volume of HCl

50mL

50mL

Wt. of HCl that reacted with

tablet

0.162g

0.073g

Wt. if HCl/ gram of antacid

tablet

0.102g

0.164g

Basing this activity as reference, there are many variables to be considered as one conducts an
experiment with regards to comparison of drugs such as Simeco and Shelogel. One is, both of
which are of different weights. Next, the determination is hinged on the accuracy of measurements.
However, we easily determined when all the HCl has been neutralised by the NaOH when our
titrated mixture turned pale pink within the matter of 2 minutes. In this activity, we learned that one
must dissolve the crushed antacid tablets as completely as possible in the 50mL HCl added
though it may seem like a hard task so it will not be an interference in determining the efficiency of
the antacids so that all the antacids will completely react with HCl.
Reference:
Chang, R.,Chemistry. 6th ed. NY: WBC Mc Graw Hill, 1998
Samonte, J., & Figueroa, L. (2014). GENERAL CHEMISTRY Laboratory Manual (4th ed., pp.
45-50). Quezon City: C&E Pub.