Independent · non-commercial · publishes on a quarterly cycle|Current cycle 2026 Q3
Methodology|Interests|Funding|Corrections
Compound Evidence InstituteEvidence synthesis · established 2023Graded assessments of compounds, trials, methods and supply
Document set current to 30 July 2026
Defined term · Analytical chemistry

Karl Fischer titration

The reference method for water content, based on the stoichiometric reaction of water with iodine and sulfur dioxide. The only water determination the Institute accepts for a hygroscopic lyophilisate.

Document identifier
CEI-GT-140
Series
Defined term
Version
1.0
Published
30 Jul 2026
Last reviewed
30 Jul 2026
Certainty
Not rated

§1Karl Fischer titration

§1.1Also known as

KF

§1.2Category

Analytical chemistry — Terms describing the determination of identity, purity, content and quality.

§1.3Related terms

  • Water content — The mass fraction of a lyophilisate that is water. Substantial for a hygroscopic peptide and a direct subtraction from delivered peptide mass.
  • Mass balance — The sum of peptide content, water content and counter-ion content, which should approach one hundred per cent. A certificate that does not permit a mass balance to be…
Compound Evidence Institute · CEI-GT-140 · https://compoundevidence.com/glossary/karl-fischer-titration/ · retrieved 30 July 2026
Nothing published by the Institute is medical advice, a diagnosis, a prescription, a treatment recommendation or a purchasing recommendation. Compounds supplied for research use are not approved for human or veterinary use in any jurisdiction, and a favourable analytical assessment of a supplier is not a statement that any product is safe or effective. The Institute publishes certainty ratings and never recommendations. No telephone number, messaging handle or ordering channel appears anywhere on this site.