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Trace enrichment and separation of metal ions as dithiocarbamate complexes by liquid chromatography

Journal Article · · Anal. Chem.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/ac00128a021· OSTI ID:6954055

A method is presented that involves the simultaneous formation of metal dithiocarbamates and on-line preconcentration and, subsequently, separation of heavy-metal ions (Cd(II), Pb(II), Hg(II), Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Bi(III)) by reversed-phase liquid chromatography. A cetrimide-dithiocarbamate ion pair is loaded onto a precolumn packed with C/sub 18/-bonded silica, and the injected metal ions react instantaneously with the dithiocarbamate to form stable complexes. These relatively apolar complexes are efficiently preconcentrated on the precolumn. They can be eluted on-line to C/sup 18/ separation column and, next, separated with an acetonitrile/water gradient containing cetrimide and buffered to pH 6.8. The detection is effected with a UV-vis diode-array detector which allows the determination of subnanogram amounts of metal ions. The cleanup, preconcentration, and automation potential render the method suitable for multimetal analysis in complex samples. Application of this principle to the trace analysis of Cu(II) and Hg(II) in drinking water is demonstrated.

Research Organization:
Free Univ., Amsterdam, Netherlands
OSTI ID:
6954055
Journal Information:
Anal. Chem.; (United States), Journal Name: Anal. Chem.; (United States) Vol. 59:1; ISSN ANCHA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English