Determination of μmol l-1 level of iron (III) in natural waters and total iron in drugs by flow injection spectrophotometry

The equilibrium problems, characterized by recurring end-points, involved in the reaction of iron (III) with iodide make the batch iodometric determination of iron (III) unsuitable. Since the flow injection determination does not require attainment of steady state either for mixing of reagents or for the chemical reaction, the iodometric determination has been accurately and precisely performed using this technique in the present work. This method does not require any special reagent, including chelating agents or those which are loxic, and has a limit of detection of 0.2 micromol l(-1) (11 microg l(-1)) of iron (III). The interference of fluoride has been avoided by adding zirconyl nitrate to the test sample solution, and of copper (II) by complex formation with 2-mercaptobenzoxazole. The method has been applied to determine iron (III) in natural waters, and total iron in drugs.