Extraction-spectrophotometric determination of traces of bismuth in lead,copper and nickel metals,and in copper-base alloys with tri-n-octylamine

A rapid and sensitive spectrophotometric method has been developed for the determination of bismuth in lead, copper and nickel metals, and in copper-base alloys. Optimal conditions have been established for the extraction and determination of bismuth. Bismuth is extracted with a benzene solution of tri-n-octylamine in the presence of hydrobromic acid and the absorbance of the extract (bromo-complex of bismuth) at 380 nm is measured. As little as 0.5 p.p.m. of bismuth in these metals and alloys can be determined.