What is the Karl Fischer Method?

The Karl Fischer (KF) titration is a well-established analytical technique used to accurately measure trace levels of water in solid, liquid, and gas samples. It is based on the quantitative chemical reaction between water and Karl Fischer reagent, which typically includes iodine, sulfur dioxide, a base, and an alcohol as solvent.

There are two primary methods:

  • Coulometric Titration: Ideal for samples with very low water content (ppm level), using electrochemical generation of iodine.
  • Volumetric Titration: Suitable for higher moisture levels, using a titrant with a known water-reactive concentration.

Karl Fischer titration is widely used due to its high specificity to water, fast response, and suitability for diverse materials—from solvents and oils to polymers, pharmaceuticals, and food products.

Introducing AQUAMICRON by Mitsubishi Chemical

AQUAMICRON is a comprehensive reagent line developed for both coulometric and volumetric Karl Fischer titration systems. Manufactured under stringent ISO 9001-certified conditions at Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, these reagents offer:

  • Exceptional accuracy and reproducibility
  • Low toxicity and environmental impact
  • Compatibility with a wide variety of titrators
  • Traceability to NIST SRM 2890 and BIPM international standards

Key Features

  • Pyridine-free, low-toxicity formulations are available
  • Broad application for solvents, oils, pharmaceuticals, gases, polymers, and more
  • Suitable for both direct titration and water vaporization methods
  • Complete range of titrants, solvents, catholytes, and certified water standards

Coulometric Reagents

PRODUCT NAME PRODUCT CODE SPECIFICATION PACKAGE MAIN SOLVENT APPLICATION
AXI XAMI Moisture maximum 0.15mgH2O/mL 500mL glass bottle Methanol, Propylenecarbonate

AXI

For frit or fritless type cell, equivalent to FLS

AXI, AX & AX01

For General-use

Organic solvents, Inorganic chemicals, Oils, Petroleum products, Various kinds of gases, etc.
AX XAMA
AX01 XAMA01 100mL glass bottle
AS SAMA Moisture maximum 0.15mgH2O/mL 500mL glass bottle Methanol, Chloroform

For Oils

Naphtha, Gasoline, Diesel oil, Electrical insulation oil, etc.
AKX AKX Moisture maximum 0.15mgH2O/mL 500mL glass bottle Propylenecarbonate, Diethyleneglycole monoethylether

For Ketones

Ketones. Silicone oils. Low carboxylic acids, etc.
CXU CXU Moisture maximum 0.6mgH2O/mL 5mL ampule x 10/case Methanol

Catholyte

Both AX, AS, and AKXare  available to combine with
FLS FLS Moisture maximum 0.15mgH2O/mL 500mL glass bottle Methanol, Propylenecarbonate

For fritless type cell

Organic solvents, Inorganic gases, etc.
SS-Z series (Pyridine-free and Chloroform-free type)
PRODUCT NAME PRODUCT CODE SPECIFICATION PACKAGE MAIN SOLVENT APPLICATION
Titrant SS-Z SSZ10M Titer 0.7-1.2mgH2O/mL 500mL glass bottle Diethyleneglycole monoethylether

For General-use-Low moisture content Samples
SSZ30M Titer 2.5-3.5mgH2O/mL 500mL glass bottle Diethyleneglycole monoethylether

For General-use
SSZ50M *SSZ50L Titer 4.5-5.5mgH2O/mL 500mL, *1L glass bottle Diethyleneglycole monoethylether

For General-use- High moisture content Samples
Solvent GEX GEX Moisture maximum 0.2mgH2O/mL 500mL glass bottle Methanol

For general-use organic solvents, Inorganic chemicals, Agricultural chemicals, Pharmaceuticals, Fertilizers, Detergents, Foodstuffs, etc.
Solvent OLX OLX Moisture maximum 0.5mgH2O/mL 500mL glass bottle Hexanol, Ethanol

For Oils- Naphtha, Gasolone, Diesel oil, Electrical insulation oil, etc.
Solvent OLII OL2 Moisture maximum 0.3mgH2O/mL 500mL glass bottle Chloroform, Methanol

For Oils and Fats- Naphtha, Gasolone, Diesel oil, Heavy oil, Electrical
Solvent KTX KTX Moisture maximum 0.5mgH2O/mL 500mL glass bottle Propylenecarbonate, Diethyleneglycole monoethylether

For Ketones- Ketones, Silicone oils, Acetic and other lower carboxylic acids, aldehydes (except acetaldehydes),etc.
Solvent SU SSU Moisture maximum 0.2mgH2O/mL 500mL glass bottle Formamide, Methanol

For Sugars- Sugars, Proteins, Gelatine, Additives, Animal feeds, etc.
SS Series (Pyridine type)
PRODUCT NAME PRODUCT CODE SPECIFICATION PACKAGE MAIN SOLVENT APPLICATION
Titrant SS GKS10M Titer 0.7-1.2mgH2O/mL 500mL glass bottle Chloroform, Pyridine

For General-use- Low moisture content Samples
GKS30M Titer 2.5-3.5mgH2O/mL 500mL glass bottle Chloroform, Pyridine

For General-use
GKS100M Titer 8-12mgH2O/mL 500mL glass bottle Chloroform, Pyridine

For General-use- High moisture content Samples
Solvent ML GML Moisture maximum 0.2mgH2O/mL 500mL glass bottle Methanol

For general use - Organic solvents, Inorganic chemicals, Agricultural chemicals, Pharmaceuticals, Fertilizers, Detergents, Foodstuffs, etc.
Solvent MS GMS Moisture maximum 0.2mgH2O/mL 500mL glass bottle Methanol, Pyridine

For General-use- Organic solvents, Inorganic chemicals, Agricultural chemicals, Pharmaceuticals, Fertilizers, Detergents, Foodstuffs, etc.
Solvent CM GCM Moisture maximum 0.3mgH2O/mL 500mL glass bottle Chloroform, Methanol

For Oils- Naphtha, Gasolone, Diesel oil, Heavy oil, Electrical insulation oil, Oils and Fats(Hardened oil, Margarine, etc.
Solvent CP GCP Moisture maximum 0.5mgH2O/mL 500mL glass bottle Chloroform, Propylenecarbonate

For Ketones - Ketones, Silicone oils, Acetic and other lower carboxylic acids, aldehydes(except acetaldehydes), Anilines, etc.
Solvent PP GPP Moisture maximum 0.2mgH2O/mL 500mL glass bottle Pyridine, Propylene glycole

For Aldehydes- Acetaldehydes, propionaldehydes, Butyraldehydes, etc.
Solvent PE GPE Moisture maximum 0.2mgH2O/mL 500mL glass bottle Pyridine, Ethylene glycole

For Ketones - Ketones, Silicone oils, Acetic and other lower carboxylic acids, aldehydes(except acetaldehydes), Anilines, etc.
Solvent FM GFM Moisture maximum 0.2mgH2O/mL 500mL glass bottle Formamide, Methanol

For Sugars- Sugars, Proteins, Gelatine, Additives, Animal feeds, etc.
Solvent ME GME Moisture maximum 0.2mgH2O/mL 500mL glass bottle Methanol, Ethylene glycole

For Vaporizer - Gaseous samples, Nitrogen, etc.
Liquid Water Standard – with Test Certification
PRODUCT NAME PRODUCT CODE SPECIFICATION PACKAGE MAIN SOLVENT APPLICATION
AQUAMICRON® Water Standard 0.1 AWS01 Titer 0.1±0.01mgH2O/g 5mL ampule ×10/case Propylenecarbonate For   checking   the   accuracy   of   the coulometric moisture meter
AQUAMICRON® Water Standard 0.2 AWS02 Titer 0.2±0.01mgH2O/g 5mL ampule ×10/case Propylenecarbonate For   checking   the   accuracy   of   the coulometric moisture meter
AQUAMICRON® Water Standard 1 AWS10 Titer 1±0.05mgH2O/g 5mL ampule ×10/case Propylenecarbonate For   checking   the   accuracy   of   the coulometric moisture meter
AQUAMICRON® Water Standard 10 AWS100 Titer 10±0.5mgH2O/g 8mL ampule ×10/case Propylenecarbonate For   determination   of   Karl   Fischer reagent titer
Solid Water Standard – with Test Certification
PRODUCT NAME PRODUCT CODE SPECIFICATION PACKAGE MAIN SOLVENT APPLICATION
AQUAMICRON® Solid Water Standard SWS Moisture 3.83±0.1% 10g glass bottle Potassium tertarate hemihydrate For  evaluation  a  moisture  meter  with a water vaporizer
Check Solution
PRODUCT NAME PRODUCT CODE SPECIFICATION PACKAGE MAIN SOLVENT APPLICATION
AQUAMICRON® Check Solution P GCHP Moisture 4.0±0.2mgH2O/mL 100mL glass bottle with septum cap Propylenecarbonate The end-point adjustment solution can be used  with  both AX  and AXK.  It  can  also be  used  for  day-to-day  management  of coulometric   moisture   mesurement systems.
Liquid Standard for Asses Titer
PRODUCT NAME PRODUCT CODE SPECIFICATION PACKAGE MAIN SOLVENT APPLICATION
AQUAMICRON® Standard Water/Methanol GMW20 2.0±0.04mgH2O/mL 250mL glass bottle Methanol Used   to   assess   titer   of   Karl   Fischer reagents  (3-10mgH2O/mL).  Also  can  be used to reverse titration.

 

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