Synthesis of 2-[2-(8-hydroxyquinolyl)azo]-1-naphthol and its use in the spectrophotometric determination of calcium in potable water

The synthesis of a novel reagent, 2-2-(8-hydroxyquinolyl)azo]-1-naphthol (HQAN), is described. The acidity constants of the reagent and its reactions with various metal ions are reported. The HQAN reagent forms a soluble calcium chelate in 50% (v/v) dioxane/ water at pH > 8.5 (? = 24 000 l mol^?1 cm ^t-1 at 570 nm). It also forms chelates with magnesium, other alkaline earth metals, and ivalent Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb. These interferences (except for Mn) can be avaoided by pH adjustment or by adding masking agents, and a very simple procedure for the determination of calcium in potable waters is obtained.