Mineralization of some organic sulphur compounds by fusion with molten alkali

The action of molten alkali-metal hydroxides for the destruction of organic matter containing sulphur has been studied. Various procedures were developed which differed mainly in the initial phase of the process, mainly with respect to homogenization of the reaction mixture, but also with regard to addition of an auxiliary oxidant. The technique is not universally applicable to sulphur compounds, but is useful for decomposition of sulphur compounds with m.p. > 150 degrees and containing sulphonate, thiocarbonyl, phenazothionium and thio groups. The sulphur is converted into sulphate, which is then determined as barium sulphate.