Azo compounds as reagents for the voltammetric determination of molybdenum(VI)

Linear sweep voltammograms of Lumogallion IREA (pH 2), Magneson IREA (pH 2), 4-(2-pyridylazo)resorcinol (pH 4.8), and 2-(5-bromo-2-pyridylazo)-5-diethylaminophenol (pH 4.8) in the presence of molybdenum(VI) exhibit peaks at potentials more negative than the potentials of reduction peaks of the reagents by approximately 0.1 V. In all of the above cases, the heights of these peaks linearly increased with an increase in the concentration of molybdenum(VI) in the range from 5 x 10^-7 to 2.5 x 10^-6 M; thus, these peaks can be used for the determination of molybdenum. The simultaneous proportional decrease in the heights of the cathodic peaks of the reagents can be used for indirect determination of molybdenum(VI). The limits of detection without preliminary accumulation at a dropping mercury electrode with a drop time of 5 s are (1.5-3.9) x 10^-7 M, depending on the nature of the reagent and the technique used for determining the concentration.