Reversed-phase HPLC determination of some noble metals as their thiazolylazoresorcinol chelates

The first use of 4-(2-thiazolylazo)resorcinol (TAR) as a chelating reagent in the reversed-phase HPLC separation and determination of Os, Rh and Ru is reported. A precolumn derivatization method is used, followed by separation on an octadecyl-bonded silica stationary phase with a methanol-water mobile phase. The coloured complexes of Os, Rh, and Ru are completely separated within 8 min with a 60:40 v/v methanol-water mixture (pH 4.0, tetrabutylammonium as counter-ion). The detection limits for Rh, Ru and Os at 550 nm are 5, 6 and 17 ng/ml respectively. Recoveries of 94-102% have been obtained for these trace noble metals in analysis of anode slime.