Kinetic determination of microamounts of some sulphur-containing ligands

Some sulphur-containing ligands have been shown to inhibit the Hg(II)-catalysed substitution of p-nitrosodiphenylamine (p-NDA) for cyanide in hexacyanoferrate(II), by binding the mercury(II). This effect is used for determination of microamounts of cysteine, thioglycollic acid and thiosulphate. The reactions are followed spectrophotometrically at 640 nm (lambda(max) of Fe(CN)(5).p-NDA](3-)). The determination range depends on the amount of mercury(II) added and the stability of the Hg(II)-ligand complex. Under specified conditions, the detection limits are: thioglycollic acid 1 x 10(-7)M, cysteine 1 x 10(-6)M and thiosulphate 4 x 10(-7)M.