A selective method for the determination of molybdenum using toluene-3,4-dithiol

Abstract

A method is described for the colorimetric determination of molybdenum. The procedure involves the extraction of molybdenum(VI) from solution in hydrochloric acid with tri-n-butyl phosphate. The tri-n-butyl phosphate extract is then complexed with toluene-3,4-dithiol in glacial acetic acid-tri-n-butyl phosphate-orthophosphoric acid medium.

This procedure enhances the selectivity, sensitivity and reproducibility of the molybdenum-dithiol reaction.