Catalytic determination of selenium with a picrate-selective electrode

A method is described for the determination of selenium, based on its catalytic effect on the picrate—sulfide reaction. The determination involves a variable-time kinetic procedure using potentiometric monitoring with a picrate-selective electrode and automatic measurement of the time required for the potential to change by a preselected amount (5.0 mV). Selenium in the range 3–30 μg was determined with an average error of about 4% and relative standard deviations of about 2%. The reaction can also be followed spectrophotometrically.