Copper Analysis by Ion Exchange and Acid Base Weight Titration

This laboratory experiment introduces column chromatography in an analytical chemistry course and uses commercially available resin beads as the media. Ion exchange of Cu2+ and H+ is paired with an acid–base weight titration to analyze for copper in hydrated copper sulfate. This allows educators a gateway to show the broad applications of ion exchange within an analytical chemistry curriculum. Because of the color of copper in a solid, in solution, and on the column, students are able to visually follow the copper equilibria throughout the experiment. Gains in understanding equilibria, sample selection, and titration were seen. This laboratory experiment is completed in a sophomore-level analytical chemistry course during a 3 h lab period.