Determination of Pd and Co as Their Dithiocarbamate Complexes by Liquid Chromatography without Solvent Extraction

Abstract

High performance reverse-phase liquid chromatography with UV-detection can be used to determine trace levels of Pd and Co as their dithiocarbamate complexes by direct injection of aqueous acetonitrile solutions of the metal containing dithiocarbamate. An excess of ligand, at least four times that required to form the neutral metal complex, was necessary for complete metal-complex formation. The presence of other metal species and the solution acidity depleted the amount of ligand available for complexation. Detection limits for Pd(II) and Co(III) from aqueous solution as their dithiocarbamate complexes were 2.7 ng/mL and 9.5 ng/mL respectively. Trace levels of Pd in Platinum powder (62 ug/g)have been determined. A solution of cobalt platonic chloride was analyzed for cobalt content.