The determination of anionic detergents with the bis (ethylenediamine)copper(II) ion

A method is described for the determination of anionic detergents. The detergent anions are extracted into chloroform as an ion-association compound with the bis(ethylenediamine)copper(II) cation. Determinations are completed by colorimetry or atomic absorption spectrometry. With a 150-ml water sample, the limit or detection is 0.03 μg ml^-1 (as LAS) for colorimetry or 0.06 μg ml^-1 for a.a.s. The method requires only one phase separation step and is highly selective. It is directly applicable to brine and sea-water samples.