Determination of V(V), Nb(V) and Ta(V) as their 2-(5-nitro-2-pyridylazo)-5-diethylaminophenol complexes by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography

A method for the reversed-phase liquid chromatographic separation and determination of V(V), Nb(V) and Ta(V) as 2-(5-nitro-2-pyridylazo)-5 diethylaminophenol (5-NO₂-PADAP) complexes is reported. The metal complexes were eluted in 9 min with a mobile phase of methanol-water (54 : 46, v/v) containing 10 mmol L^–1 acetate buffer (pH 3.0) on an ODS column. The detection limits for V, Nb and Ta were 0.09, 0.13 and 1.41 ng mL^–1, respectively, with S/N=3. The analysis of a reference sample of a mineral is discussed. The results corresponded to the certified values, and recoveries of 98.3–101.4% have been obtained.