An improved spectrophotometric determination of manganese(II) with 1-(2-quinolylazo)-2,4,5-trihydroxybenzene with applications to medicinal plants and chemical reagents

The effects of organic solvent, time and temperature on the colour-forming reaction are described. For nine solvents tested, the molar absorptivities were in the range 2.0×10⁴?6.7×10⁴ mol^?1 cm^?1; best sensitivity was obtained with a 1:1 water/2-propanol solution after a standing time of 35 min; temperature should be controlled to ±2°C. Beer's law was obeyed for 0–1.45 μg ml^?1 Mn(II). The improved method was applied to determinations of manganese(II) in various herbs and chemical reagents; the values found were in the range 5.4–48.4 μg g^?1 in herbs, and 0.001-0.012% (w/w) in reagents.