Spectrophotometric determination of nitrite with p-nitroaniline and 2-methyl-8-quinolinol in hexadecyl-trimethylammonium bromide solution

Nitrite ion at low concentrations is determined spectrophotometrically by diazotization of p-nitroaniline and coupling of the diazonium salt with 2-methyl-8-quinolinol. The resulting dye is solubilized in hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide micelles. The molar absorptivity is 4.72 × 10⁴ l mol^-1 cm^-1, and the Sandell sensitivity is 9.7 × 10^-4 μg cm^-2. Some interferences are reported, and preconcentration by evaporation is evaluated. The solubility of hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide in water was determined as a function of temperature; the Krafft point is 19.6°C. Salting-in of the surfactant by potassium nitrate is described.