Determination of tungsten with pyrocatechol violet by first-derivative solid-phase spectrophotometry

Derivative spectrophotometry was applied to solid-phase spectrophotometry in order to enhance its sensitivity and remove the large background caused by the absorbance of the resin layer. Determination of micro-amounts of tungsten with pyrocatechol violet to form a 21 green complex in acid medium which is fixed on a dextran-type anion-exchange resin (Sephadex QAEA-25) is described as an example for the application of this technique. The absorbance of the resin packed in a 1-mm spectrophotometric cell, was measured directly. The characteristic peak amplitude of the signal at 674 nm in the first-derivative spectrum is useful for quantitative determination of tungsten (3–16 g 1^–1; RSD 5.8%) in natural and industrial water samples.