Automated catalytic method for the routine determination of molybdenum in plant materials

Abstract

Molybdenum is determined by its catalytic effect on the liberation of iodine from iodide by hydrogen peroxide. The detection limit (twice the standard deviation of the blank) is 0.01 p.p.m. in plant material, using a 0.25-g sample. Interference from iron is eliminated by preventing any reduction to iron(II) before complexation with fluoride. High concentrations of salts, other metals and phosphate do not interfere, and agreement with established routine methods is very good.