Determination of traces of perchlorate in chlorate solutions

Perchlorate present in chlorate solutions is determined gravimetrically as tetraphenylphosphonium perchlorate after destruction of chlorate by addition of hydrochloric acid. Interference of Fe(III) and Cr(III) is prevented by complexing with tarartic acid. Replicate analyses of a sodium chlorate solution containing NaClO(3), NaCl, Na(2)Cr(2)O(7), and 390 ppm NaClO(4) showed 405 ppm NaClO(4) (standard deviation 19 ppm, 12 results).