Non-linearity with metal-metal indicator complex reactions in flow-injection analysis

The linearity of the standard calibration curve in a flow-injection system involving a calcium-cresolphthalein complexone reaction was improved by replacing the organic base, 2-amino-2-methylpropan-1-ol, with the weak inorganic acid-conjugate base, boric acid-borate system as buffer. This was done after a theoretical study done on the relationship between the amount of coloured complex, Ca(2)(CPC)(2-), as major chromophore formed and the total amount of calcium added at different pH values, and employing the knowledge obtained via proton side-reactions. It was shown that a linear calibration curve between 150 and 1000 mg l(-1) of standard Ca(2-) solutions was obtained with a buffer solution containing 0.05 mol l(-1) boric acid, 0.05 mol l(-1) KCl and 35 g l(-1) sodium acetate at a pH of 8.5.