Infrared determination of calcium or lithium nitrate in acetone solution determination of calcium or lithium in the presence of strontium or barium

A method is proposed for the infrared determination of calcium or lithium in the presence of strontium or barium. A mixture of the nitrates is treated with acetone which dissolves only the calcium or lithium nitrate. The strontium or barium nitrate is filtered off. The nitrate is evaporated to about 2 ml with a stream of dry air and then diluted to 5 ml with acetone. The infrared spectrum is scanned from 860 to 800 cm(-1) and the nitrate peak at 824 cm(-1) for calcium and 827 cm(-1) for lithium is measured. The recommended range is 1-80 mg of calcium or lithium nitrate in the presence of up to about 200 mg of strontium or barium nitrate.