Determination of small amounts of boron by radiation decomposition of chloroacetic acid solution

For the determination of boron in the mug/g range in aqueous solution by activation analysis an indirect method is proposed, based on the liberation of chloride ions from chloroacetic acid by the primary reaction (10)B(n, alpha)(7)Li. The sample solution, to which is added 0.01-0.5M choroacetic acid, is irradiated with reactor neutrons. The concentration of the chloride ions liberated from the chloroacetic acid is directly proportional to the boron content of the irradiated sample. It is determined potentiometrically with a chloride-sensitive electrode. By this method boron contents >/= 10(-5) g can be detected with good reproducibility. Interference from other ionic species has been investigated and can be neglected. The method is suitable for the determination of boron in biological matrices.