The simultaneous microdetermination of carbon,hydrogen, arsenic,or selenium in organic compounds

Simple modifications have been described for the simultaneous microdetermination of carbon, hydrogen, and arsenic or selenium in organic compounds using the rapid straight empty tube combustion technique. A silica insertion tube placed in the combustion tube at the open end of the ignition capsule and cooled via external exposure of the combustion tube around it to a stream of air, was found to be suitable for the quantitative retention of arsenic trioxide produced during the combustion of organo-arsenic compounds. The same modification was proved to be suitable for complete trapping of selenium dioxide produced in the combustion of organo-selenium compounds. In the latter case, the insertion tube was packed at one end with a short silica wool plug and cooling it with air is unnecessary.Using these simple modifications, accurate and reproducible carbon, hydrogen, and arsenic or selenium results were obtained in the analysis of a wide range of organic compounds containing arsenic or selenium. The conventional gravimetric finish was employed for the evaluation of three elements.