Historical survey of the uses of organic compounds as reagents in analytical chemistry

Abstract

Early developments in the use of organic substances as analytical reagents are reviewed. Natural materials of plant and animal origin were exclusively used as indicators and qualitative reagents in the 17th and 18th centuries, but were gradually superseded by synthetic products as organic chemistry matured during the 19th century. The development of the Griess test for nitrous acid, including Warington's and Ilosvay's modifications, is outlined. The early applications of purified natural products, such as the alkaloids, and of several sulphur-containing compounds are also discussed.Finally, the classic chelate-forming reagents for metals, such as copper, cobalt, iron and nickel, are viewed in their historical context as contributing to the development of selective and sensitive analytical reagents.