Determination of copper in sea water by cathodic stripping voltammetry of complexes with catechol

A reduction current is obtained when an aqueous solution of copper and catechol is subjected to differential-pulse cathodic stripping voltammetry (d.p.c.s.v.) because of the reduction of copper(II)—catechol complex ions which adsorb onto the hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE). The most likely form of the adsorbed complex ions is CuL^2?₂ (L being catechol). A.c. polarographic measurements showed that these complex ions adsorb more strongly onto the drop than free catechol ions. Monolayer adsorption density is obtained at 2.1 × 10^?10 molecules/cm², equivalent to a surface area of 78 A² complex ion, which agrees well with the molecular surface area calculated from the bond lengths. Analytically useful currents are obtained at very low metal concentrations, such as in uncontaminated sea water. The possible interference by other trace metals, major cations, and organic complexing ligands is investigated. Competition for copper ions by natural organic complexing ligands is evident at low concentrations of catechol. Analysis of the dissolved copper concentration in sea water by d.p.c.s.v. at the HMDE (at neutral pH) compares favourably with the d.p.a.s.v. technique at a rotating disk electrode (at low pH) because of the shorter collection period and greater sensitivity.