Trace determination of hydroperoxides by spectrophotometry in organic media

Abstract

Two spectrophotometric methods for the trace determination of hydroperoxides in benzene-methanol medium are compared. The first is based on complex formation between Fe^II and 1, 10-phenanthroline (tentatively denoted by Fe^IIP), and the other makes use of the complex formed between Fe^III and the thiocyanate anion (tentatively denoted by Fe^IIIT). The thiocyanate method, when modified by adding more benzene to the system and employing active silver to suppress the blank values, proved to be less laborious, more sensitive and faster than the determination with 1,10-phenanthroline. The yield of Fe^IIIT is almost stoicheiometric, which is not so for the Fe^IIP complex. Owing to its simplicity, great sensitivity and reproducibility, the modified thiocyanate method is suitable for series determinations.