Extracting photometric determination of antimony with 5–pyridylazo–2–monoethylaminoparacresol (PAAC)

Abstract

The developed extraction-spectrophotometric method for the determination of antimony utilizing 5-(pyridylazo)-2-monoethylaminoparacresol (PAAC) stands out for its selectivity, sensitivity, and rapidity. This method proves to be effective in the determination of antimony in various complex matrices, including model solutions of silicate rocks and ores. The robustness of the method is evident as it successfully analyzes these samples without the need for preliminary separation of accompanying elements. PAAC is chosen as the complexing agent for antimony. Its selectivity and sensitivity contribute to the precision of the method. The method involves an extraction step, likely utilizing a suitable organic solvent, to selectively extract the antimony-PAAC complex from the sample matrix. The concentration of antimony in the extracted complex is determined spectrophotometrically. This involves measuring the absorbance of the complex at a specific wavelength, typically chosen based on the characteristics of the PAAC-antimony complex. The method is validated by analyzing model solutions of silicate rocks and ores. This step assesses the applicability and accuracy of the method in samples that simulate real-world conditions. The method demonstrates a reproducibility of 2-5%, indicating its reliability and precision across multiple analyses. The developed method is recommended for the analysis of chemically complex materials such as industrial wastewater, ores, concentrates, and rocks.