Differential-pulse polarographic micro-determination of formaldehyde via in situ derivatization with Girard's reagent T

Abstract

Formaldehyde, after in situ derivatization with Girard's reagent T, was determined in aqueous solution using differential-pulse polarography. A single peak was obtained at pH 8 when using 1 × 10^–3 mol l^–1 NH₄Cl/NH₃ as the supporting electrolyte. The minimum detectable concentration of formaldehyde was 1.3 × 10^–6 mol l^–1. As little as 0.2 µg of formaldehyde can be determined accurately by using this method. In addition, acetaldehyde was proven to not interfere with the formaldehyde determination.