Use of organic reagents in inorganic analysis

Summary Seven anilic acids obtained from phthalic anhydride and aromatic amines were studied for their quantitative precipitating action on zirconium. The anilic acids from p-toluidine, m- and p-nitranilines and -naphthylamine were only found effective for the quantitative determination of zirconium. Zirconium is completely precipitated at a little lowerph value with these reagents, than thorium. Compositions of the zirconium salts of these acids are not definite, so ignition of the precipitates to zirconia is necessary. Separation of zirconium from common elements like Cu, Al, Cr, Mg, Zn, Ti etc. may be done with ease. But for iron, uranium, cobalt and nickel double precipitation is essential. A considerable amount of thorium has been separated from zirconium, by extraction with amylacetate.