Simultaneous determination of copper,mercury and lead by first-order derivative spectrophotometry using dithizone as reagent

A first-order derivative spectrophotometric method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of copper, mercury and lead at g/L levels using dithizone as reagent. The procedure involves the simultaneous extraction of these elements by dithizone in chloroform from weakly alkaline solutions. Linear calibration curves were obtained in the ranges 0.5–10 (Cu), 1–10 (Hg) and 1–10 (Pb) g present in 40 ml of aqueous phase with detection limits of 5 g/L (Cu) and 20 g/L (Hg and Pb). The R.S.D.s for 100 g/L of copper, mercury and lead were 2.5, 2.6 and 3.1% respectively, for 5 determinations. The method is applicable for the determination of copper and lead in marine sediment samples with good precision and accuracy.     

Development of sequential injection spectrophotometric method for determination of mercury (II) using pyrogallol red

A sequential injection analysis (SIA) spectrophotometric method for the determination of trace amount of mercury (II) with pyrogallol red (PGR) was described. The method was based on the measurement of absorbance of the mercury (II)–PGR complex, yielding a light yellow-coloured product at pH 9.0 with absorption maximum at 370 nm. The SIA parameters affecting the signal response were optimised in order to obtain the better sensitivity and minimum reagent consumption. The linear range for determination of mercury (II) was over the range of 0.1–2.0 mg L^?1. The limit of detection and limit of quantification, calculated following IUPAC were 0.06 and 0.10 mg L^?1, respectively. The repeatability was 1.25% (n = 10) for 0.5 mg L^?1 of mercury (II). The proposed method was successfully applied to determine the mercury (II) in commercial cosmetics, local Thai traditional medicines and water samples with a sampling rate of 40 h^?1. Results obtained were in justifiable agreement with those obtained by the official ICP-MS method at the 95% confidence level.     

Complexometric determination of mercury(II) using Congo Red as indicator

Congo Red is suggested as an indicator for the direct titration of mercury(II) ions with EDTA or with potassium thiocyanate. An interference study of a number of cations has been made. The titration with thiocyanate is more advantageous than that with EDTA.     

Complexometric determination of copper(II) in ores,alloys and complexes using 2-mercaptoethanol as indirect masking reagent

A complexo-titrimetric method for the determination of copper(II) in the presence of other metal ions is described, based on the selective masking ability of 2-mercaptoethanol towards copper(II). Copper and other ions in a given sample solution are initially complexed with an excess of EDTA and the surplus EDTA is titrated with zinc sulfate solution at pH 5.0–6.0 (hexamine), using xylenol orange as indicator. A known excess of 2-mercaptoethanol solution (10%) is then added, the mixture is shaken well and the released EDTA from the Cu-EDTA complex is titrated against standard zinc sulfate solution. The interferences of various ions are studied and the method is applied to the determination of copper in its ores, alloys and complexes. Reproducible and accurate results are obtained for 2.5–40 mg of Cu with relative errors 0.4% and standard deviations 0.04 mg.     

Selective complexometric determination of mercury using sodium nitrite as masking agent

A complexo-titrimetric method for the determination of mercury(II) in the presence of other metal ions is described based on the selective masking ability of sodium nitrite. Mercury and other ions are initially complexed with an excess of EDTA and the surplus EDTA is titrated with Pb(NO₃)₂ solution at pH 5.0–6.0 using xylenol orange as indicator. An excess of solid NaNO₂ is then added to decompose the Hg(II)-EDTA complex and the released EDTA is titrated with standard Pb(NO₃)₂ solution. Accurate results were obtained for 10–65 mg of mercury with relative errors <0.3% and standard deviations < 0.03 mg. Sn(IV) and Pd(II) interfere but can be easily masked. The method is applied for the determination of Hg(II) in its alloy compositions and complexes.     

Selective complexometric determination of mercury with sulphite as indirect masking reagent

A complexo-titrimetric method for the determination of mercury(II) in the presence of other metal ions is described, based on the selective masking ability of sulphite ion towards Hg(II). Mercury in a given sample solution is initially complexed with a known excess of EDTA and the surplus EDTA titrated with zinc sulphate solution at pH 5.0–6.0 (hexamine), using xylenol orange (or methylthymol blue) as indicator. An excess of solid sodium sulphite is then added to decompose the Hg(II)-EDTA complex and the released EDTA is titrated with standard zinc sulphate solution. Reproducible and accurate results are obtained for 9.9–99 mg Hg with relative errors < 0.35% and standard deviations < 0.05 mg. The effects of various cations and anions are studied.     

Development of a novel and robust microprecipitation approach using cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) for preconcentration and speciation of mercury in waters prior to CVAAS determination

A novel and simple microprecipitation method was developed for the preconcentration of ultra-trace quantities of inorganic and methyl mercury species (iHg and MeHg) prior to their determination by cold vapour atomic absorption spectrometry (CVAAS). This method is based on the formation of anionic complexes of Hg²⁺ with KI followed by ion-associate complex with cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) that forms a fluffy precipitate in perchloric acid medium. As a result, a fluffy coagulated mass separates and collects at the top of the liquid surface with clear phase separation without need of cooling or heating or centrifugation. The ion-association complex of iHg was then extracted into surfactant-rich phase (top layer) of CTAB-perchlorate precipitate while the uncomplexed MeHg remained in the aqueous phase (bottom layer). This condition also facilitates the removal of aqueous phase by simply draining out. The fluffy mass formed was dissolved in a mixture of HNO₃ and HCl which was subsequently treated with chloroform to separate the surfactant from the mixture. Then the aqueous phase containing the preconcentrated iHg was analysed for mercury by CVAAS. Key factors such as sample pH, concentration of KI and CTAB that affect the performance of the proposed microprecipitation method were thoroughly investigated. For the determination of total mercury, another fresh aliquot of water was initially adjusted to pH ~ 3.5 with perchloric acid and subjected to oxidation by using modified UV-irradiation set-up and then taken through the microprecipitation procedure. This method allows speciation of mercury with a preconcentration factor of 200 and the limits of detection (LOD) of mercury obtained for CVAAS in conjunction with the present preconcentration method was found to be 2.4 ng L^?1. Average recoveries obtained with the proposed approach were found to be in the range of 96–104% with RSD values < 5%. The interfering effects of various cations and anions were also investigated. The method was successfully applied for the determination of ultra-trace quantities of mercury species in real samples such as bottled water, tap water, lake water and ground waters.     

Complexometric determination of mercury(II) with 2-imidazolidinethione as a selective masking agent

A simple, rapid and selective complexometric method is proposed for the determination of mercury(II). Mercury(II) is first complexed with a known excess of EDTA and the surplus EDTA is back-titrated at pH 5.0-6.0 with lead nitrate, Xylenol Orange being used as indicator. 2-Imidazolidinethione is then added to displace EDTA from the Hg-EDTA complex quantitatively and the EDTA released is titrated with lead nitrate. Reproducible and accurate results are obtained for 2-75 mg of mercury, with a relative error of less than 0.3% and standard deviation of less than 0.04 mg.     

Complexometric determination of thallium(III) in pure solution,alloys, and complexes using semicarbazide hydrochloride as a releasing agent

A simple and accurate complexometric method is proposed for the determination of Tl(III) using semicarbazide hydrochloride as a releasing agent. In the presence of diverse metal ions, thallium is complexed first with a known excess of EDTA, and the surplus EDTA is then titrated with standard zinc sulfate at pH 5.0–6.0 (hexamine) using xylenol orange indicator. An excess of 5% aqueous neutral solution of semicarbazide hydrochloride is then added and the released EDTA is titrated against standard zinc sulfate solution. The method works well in the range 2–50 mg of Tl(III) with relative errors < 0.5%, standard deviations 0.05mg and coefficient of variation 0.4%. The method is applied for the determination of thallium content in complexes and alloy compositions     

Indirect spectrophotometric determination of thiocyanate by extraction as bisthiocyanatobisquinolinemercury(II) complex and its ligand substitution reaction with dithizone

Thiocyanate forms with mercury(II) in the presence of quinoline a mixed-ligand mercury(II) complex, bisthiocyanatobisquinolinemercury(II), and is extracted into chloroform. This mixed-ligand complex is treated with dithizone and forms the bisdithizonatomercury(II) complex. Maximum and constant absorbance of the dithizone complex is obtained when thiocyanate is extracted at pH 5.1-6.5, and Beer's law is obeyed at 498 nm, where the difference in absorbance between the dithizone complex and dithizone is largest. Chloride, bromide, iodide, cyanide and large amounts of ammonium and copper(II) ions interfere.     

Improved determination of mercury complex with Thiomicher's ketone by beta-correction spectrophotometry

Determination of the mercury complex formed with Thiomicher's ketone (TMK) was improved by beta-correction spectrophotometry in the presence of a nonionic surfactant at pH 5. The complex formed was Hg(TMK)2, and its true molar absorptivity is reported for the first time: epsilon Hg(TMK)2(560) = 1.04 x 10(5) L/mol.cm. In addition, the stability constant of Hg(TMK)2 was equal to 3.64 x 10(10) at an ion strength of 0.01 at 20 degrees C. Results from analyses of wastewater samples showed that the relative standard deviations were < or = 8.3%, and the recoveries of mercury ranged from 90 to 110%.     

A new procedure for the speciation of mercury in water based on the transformation of mercury (II) and methylmercury (II) into stable acetylides followed by HPLC analysis

Conversion of mercury(II) and methylmercury(II) species dissolved in water into di(phenylethynyl)mercury and methyl(phenylethynyl) mercury takes place in satisfactory yield under alkaline conditions by stirring the aqueous solution with phenylacetylene at room temperature. Mercury speciation is simply obtained by HPLC analysis of the two organometallic species. The presence of heavy metals such as copper(II), zinc(II), cadmium(II) and lead(II) in concentrations 10000 times higher than mercury is tolerated, while little interference is displayed by humic acids and cysteine. Seawater samples can also be analysed following a properly adapted procedure.     

Complexometric Determination of Mercury(II) Using 2-Mercaptopropionylglycine as a Selective Masking Reagent

 A selective complexometric method for the determination of mercury(II) in the presence of associated metal ions is reported, based on the selective masking ability of 2-mercaptopropionylglycine (MPGH₂) towards mercury. Mercury, along with other associated metal ions, is first complexed with excess of EDTA and the surplus EDTA is back titrated at pH 5–6 (hexamine buffer) with standard zinc sulfate solution using xylenol orange as indicator. An aqueous 1% solution of MPGH₂ is then added to displace EDTA selectively from the Hg-EDTA complex and the released EDTA is titrated with the same standard zinc sulfate solution. Reproducible and accurate results are obtained for 4–85 mg of mercury with a relative error of ≤ 0.26% and coefficient of variation not exceeding 0.42%. The interferences of various cations and anions are studied. The method is used for the analysis of mercury in its complexes and alloy samples. Received August 30, 2000. Revision January 15, 2001.     

Trace analysis of anionic surfactants in mineral waters and soft drinks by spectrophotometry

The applicability of the extractive spectrophotometric method using Ethyl Violet as the chromogenic reagent for identification and quantification of anionic surfactants in different types of mineralized drinking waters, as well as in some non-alcoholic beverages, was investigated. The matrix-analyte interactions of major water constituents and soft-drink ingredients in the combinations and concentration ranges met in practice were studied individually. The method was evaluated by performing recovery tests on commercial and natural samples, with sodium dodecyl sulphate added as a model surfactant. The recoveries at the 57.6 and 86.4 g/l levels ranged from 98% to 104%.     

Highly selective determination of total mercury(II) sub microgram per liter by β-cyclodextrin polymer solid-phase spectrophotometry using 1,3-di-(4-nitrodiazoamino)-benzene

A highly selective β-cyclodextrin polymer solid-phase spectrophotometric (β-CDPSPS) method is described for the determination of total mercury(II) sub microgram per liter. The methods are based on the chromogenic reaction of mercury(II) with 1,3-di-(4-nitrodiazoamino)-benzene (DNAAB) loaded on β-cyclodextrin polymer (β-CDP). In pH 10.0 borax buffer, Hg(II)-DNAAB complex on β-CDP gives a positive peak at 445 nm and a negative one at 545 nm. The absorbance was measured at two peaks and the net absorbance (A_s) was calculated between the difference of positive and negative peaks. The apparent molar absorptivity is 1.1 × 10⁷ l mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹ (82-fold of it in solution) for 100 ml sample and the linear range of the determination is 0.062-250 μg l⁻¹. The selectivity for coexistent ions was greatly improved, only silver(I) interfered with the mercury determination and the amount of the others was reduced 25-1000 times compared to previous solution method. The interference caused by silver(I) can be eliminated using tri-n-octylmethylammonium bromide as masking agent. The detection limit and the quantification limit were found to be 0.024 and 0.062 μg l⁻¹, respectively. The relative standard deviation of ten replicate determinations of 5.0 μg mercury(II) in 100 ml sample was of 2.4%. The method was validated by analyzing the water and soil reference materials and successfully applied to the determination of mercury(II) in locally collected water and dust samples.     

Determination of nitrite in environmental waters by flow injection catalytic spectrophotometry

ABSTRACT

The flow injection catalytic spectrophotometry is proposed for the determination of nitrite based on the catalytic effect on the redox reaction between methylene blue and potassium bromate in acidic medium. The reaction is monitored spectrophotometrically by measuring the decrease in the absorbance of methylene blue at the maximum absorption wavelength of 664 nm. The method is characterised by low solvent consumption and easy automatic continuous analysis. It has higher sensitivity and lower detection limit. Experimental analysis conditions of the flow injection-catalytic photometry are optimised, and the best analysis conditions are: the concentration of the potassium bromate is 0.068 mol L^?1; the concentration of the phosphoric acid in oxidation liquid is 0.045 mol L^?1; the concentration of the methylene blue in colour-substrate solution is 2.4 mg L^?1, the volume of sample ring is 200 μL; the reaction coil is around 7 m in length; the inject time is 50 s and analysis time is 70 s. Under the optimal conditions, the linear range is from 10 to 500 μg L^?1 and the detection limit is 1 μg L^?1. The nitrate standard solution is continuously determined with a mass concentration of 300 μg L^?1. The RSD is determined to be 1.41% (n = 10). The nitrite in water samples, which were from the Half Acre pond, the Ink River and the Small West lake in a campus, was determined respectively by this method. A satisfactory standard addition recovery of 96.7%–103.9% was obtained.     

Simultaneous spectrophotometric determination of Zinc(II) and Nickel(II) with 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol

A new procedure for the simultaneous spectrophotometric determination of Zn(II) and Ni(II) with 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol as chromogenic reagent has been developed. It is based on resolution of the mixed spectrum over the wavelength range 530–590 nm by applying a least-squares fitting program to standard spectra from each component. The spectra are recorded at an apparent pH of 5.0, provided by an acetate buffer in a mixed 6040 v/v 2-ethoxyethanol/water medium. The relative standard deviations for determination of 13.7 g of Ni and 31.0 g of Zn were 1.9 and 1.0%, respectively (8 replications). The method has been applied to the analysis of iron surfaces coated with a Zn-Ni alloy. The results are compared with those obtained by atomic-absorption spectrophotometry.     

Crystallographic report: Bis(pyrrolinedithiocarbamato)mercury(II)

The mononuclear structure of Hg(S₂CN(CH₂)₄)₂ has crystallographically imposed twofold symmetry and features chelating dithiocarbamate ligands that form asymmetric Hg? S bond distances leading to a heavily distorted tetrahedral geometry. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Coamplexation of mercury(II) compounds by crown ethers in organic media

Complexes between crown ethers having ring sizes of 15–24 atoms and 5 to 8 oxygens with HgX₂ species (X = Cl, I, CN, SCN) have been prepared and studied. Interactions of the substituents X bound to mercury with groups or fragments in the crown compound are essential in determining the characteristics and stability of the complexes formed. Complexes with crowns of 18C6 ring sizes are the most favourable except for HgX₂ compounds for which the size of X is larger than the macrocycle ring, as is the case for X = CF₃.     

Microchemical determination of lodate and iodide in sea waters by flow injection analysis

A flow injection analysis method for iodate and iodide in sea water is described. The system involves spectrophotometric detection based on the catalytic, fading effect of either iodate or iodide on the indicator reaction of iron (III) thiocyanate and nitrite. With and without an anion-exchange column in the flow conduit, the system allows the determination of iodate and total iodine, respectively; iodide can be found by difference. Both iodate-iodine and total iodine can be determined in the range 0.75 to 150 g/1 on the sea water basis with analysis times of 20 min for iodate-iodine and 9 min for total iodine. The RSDs are within 1.3% for both iodate and iodide. Results are presented for the determination of iodate and iodide in sea waters and some brines associated with natural methane gas evolution.