Simultaneous determination of Co(II), Cr(VI), Ni(II) and Pb(II) in water by solvent extraction and high-field 1H NMR Spectrometry

A novel analytical approach is described that combines the preconcentration power of solvent extraction with the resolution and sensitivity of a 500 MHz ¹H NMR spectroscopic detection method for the quantitative determination of metals. Co(II), Cr(VI), Ni(II) and Pb(II) in water are extracted into chloroform as dithiocarbamate complexes. By decoupling the protons and employing a solvent-induced shift method, the ¹H NMR spectrum containing the dithiocarbamate complexes of Co(II), Cr(VI), Ni(II) and Pb(II) is fully resolved at CDCl₃/ C₆D₆ below 40%/60%. The detection limits for Co(II), Cr(VI), Ni(II) and Pb(II) are estimated to be 0.12, 0.073, 0.11 and 0.27 μg/mL, respectively, in the sample solution. Received: 31 July 1997 / Revised: 24 October 1997 / Accepted: 31 October 1997