Synthesis and analytical application of tribromocarboxyarsenazo as a new chromogenic reagent for zirconium

A new chromogenic reagent tribromocarboxyarsenazo has been synthesized and the chromogenic reaction of this reagent with zirconium studied. In the medium of 0.5 mol/1 HCl, a blue complex is formed by the reaction of zirconium with tribromocarboxyarsenazo. The maximum absorption of the complex is at 633 nm, and the apparent molar absorptivity is 4.8 x 10(4) 1/mol/cm. Beer's law is obeyed over the zirconium concentration range 0-18, mug/25 ml. The method has been applied to the determination of zirconium in aluminum, copper and magnesium alloys with satisfactory results.