A simple and rapid spectrophotometric method for determination of thiophanate-methyl in commercial formulations and its residues in foodstuffs

A new, simple, rapid, and sensitive spectrophotometric method for the determination of thiophanate-methyl, based on its reaction with cobalt(II) in the presence of triethylamine, has been developed. The yellowish green color that develops instantaneously on mixing the fungicide with the reagents in dimethylformamide is stable for at least 2 h and has maximum absorbance at 360 nm. The method has been successfully applied to the determination of thiophanate-methyl in its commercial formulations and residues on grains and apples. A photometric titration procedure for formulation analysis of the fungicide has also been developed.