A selective extraction system for trace amounts of silver

Silver can be extracted from near-neutral aqueous solution into nitrobenzene as the ion-association system formed between its 1,10-phenanthroline complex and bromopyrogallol red. In the presence of EDTA, mercury(II) and bromide ions as masking agents, the extraction system is highly selective. Of 42 ions examined, only thiosulphate and large amounts of gold interfere. The colour system is very sensitive (ε = 32,000). Also, it can readily be applied to the indirect determination of concentrations of cyanide down to 0–026 ppm by determination of an added excess of silver.