On the reactivity of benzidinesulfonic acids and their applications in analysis: Reaction of cupric salts with o-benzidinemonosulfonic acid in presence of alkali thiocyanate

In the present work a new method for the detection of coppcr(II) is described. It is based on the reaction of this ion with the alkali salts of o-benzidinemonosulfonic acid, alkali thiocyanate being present. The sensitivity of this test is $\text{1}\text{500,000}$ (l0^-5.7); it ia specific for the Cu⁺² ion and can also be used to distinguish quickly the above-mentioned acid from the benzidine o-o'-disulfonic and benzidine m-m' '-disulfonic acids. It is believed that the mechanism of the reaction can be explained by an oxidation process.