Indirect determination of diethyldithiocarbamate by atomic absorption spectrometry with continuous extraction: application to the determination of the fungicide ziram

Abstract

A method for the determination of diethyldithiocarbamate (DDTC) based on the extraction of the complex formed with Cu^II into isobutyl methyl ketone and subsequent detection of the metal by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) has been developed. The variables most strongly influencing the extraction were studied, particularly the pH. A procedure based on a flow injection system, to effect the extraction, was developed, using AAS for detection. A precision of 2.6% and a detection limit of 0.03 µmol of DDTC (1.2 × 10^–7M in the sample) were obtained. The method was applied to the determination of the fungicide ziram, with a precision of 2.6% and a detection limit of 0.01 µmol of ziram.