Stripping voltammetric determination of traces of catechol compounds preceded by adsorptive accumulation of metal complexes

Catechol compounds are quantified by controlled adsorptive accumulation of their metal complexes onto a hanging mercury drop electrode followed by stripping voltammetry. By using tin(IV) as a redox marker for quantifying the surface-bound species, selectivity can be improved relative to conventional oxidative methods; dopamine can be quantified in the presence of ascorbic acid. The method allows measurements of micromolar levels of catechol, dopamine, l-dopa, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and caffeic acid. The adsorptive stripping response is evaluated with respect to preconcentration time and potential, tin(IV) and analyte concentrations, stripping mode, reproducibility and possible interferences. Analogously, solochrome violet RS and dimethylglyoxime can be quantified after accumulation of their iron(III) and nickel(II) complexes, respectively. Detection limits are 7×10^?9 M for solochrome violet RS and 5×10^?8 M for caffeic acid (1- and 5-min preconcentration, respectively).