Quantitative characterization of procedures using ultraviolet and visible molecular absorption spectrophotometry

Abstract

This paper gives information on the characterization of spectrophotometric methods of determination. The proposed characteristics should be helpful for practising analysts to select the most suitable photometric reagent or procedure for a particular problem from the vast number of substances and procedures recommended in the literature. Three main groups of characteristics are proposed: 1) characterization of the reagent (purity, spectral properties, stability of reagent in solution, etc.); 2) optimal conditions for the procedure (pH, buffer used, recommended wavelength, conditional molar absorptivity, etc.); 3) characteristic parameters of the procedure (working range, equation of the calibration plot, sensitivity, precision, interferences, etc.). Particular attention is given to means of comparing different reagents and procedures and of characterising interfering species and their effects. A further objective of the present discussion is to encourage a reduction in the number of new publications on spectrophotometric reagents with little or no practical importance which can be evaluated by means of the proposed characteristics. © 1986, Walter de Gruyter. All rights reserved.