A simple potentiometric titration method for estimation of maleic anhydride in high molecular weight styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer

A potentiometric titration method for estimation of maleic anhydride content in high molecular weight styrene maleic anhydride copolymer was developed. The method involves reaction of maleic anhydride with aniline to convert anhydride to monoacid, which was then titrated with an organic base namely alcoholic tetra-butylammonium hydroxide (TBAOH). The misperception over end-point detection by color indicators was circumvented in this method by potentiometric end-point detection. The method is accurate, repeatable and easy to implement.