Extraction systems for the flame atomic absorption spectrometric determination of trace amounts of mercury and palladium

Abstract

Two extraction systems incorporating novel derivatives of benzothiazole are described for the determination of trace amounts of Hg^II and Pd^II by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). The extraction ability of the systems was studied both in strongly acidic (3 mol dm^–3 HCl) and slightly acidic (Ph 5) media. By using the equilibrium shift method the composition of the extracted complexes was determined. The experimental data obtained indicate that the composition of the complexes depends on the acidity of the reaction system. A procedure for the extraction, separation, preconcentration and flame AAS determination of Hg^II in Pb, Cu and Cd salts was developed, allowing 2 × 10^–4% Hg to be determined.