Solvent extraction of anions with metal chelate cations-XVIII Spectrophotometric determination of maleic acid in the presence of fumaric acid by solvent extraction with tris(1,10-phenanthroline)iron(ii) chelate cations

A new colorimetric method is proposed for the determination of maleic acid. Among aliphatic dicarboxylic acids tested, maleic acid was found to be selectively extracted into nitrobenzene as the red ion-association complex (lambda(max) 516 nm) formed between the hydrogen maleate anion and the tris(1,10-phenanthroline)iron(II) cation. At least a 32-fold molar excess of tris(1,10-phenanthroline)iron(II) relative to maleic acid is needed and the optimal pH range is 3-5. A linear relationship is obtained over the concentration range 10(-5)-10(-4)M maleic acid. The relative standard deviation was 1.0 %. The colour intensity of the extract remains constant at room temperature for at least 24 hr. A large amount of fumaric acid, the trans-isomer of maleic add, is not extracted under the same conditions. This makes it possible to determine maleic acid in the presence of fumaric acid.