Indirect Determination of Cyanide by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

Abstract Two methods for determination of cyanide by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) are developed. Both methods are based on the formation of an ion association compound between a metal complex, (Ag(CN)2 − or Cu(CN)3 2-), and a quaternary ammonium ion (benzyldimethylhexadecylammonium ion). The ion association compound is extracted into isomethylbutylketone (IBMK) and the metal is determined by AAS directly in extract. The method based on the formation of silver cyanide complex provides a reproducibility of 2.5%, a recovery of 99% and a detection limit of 1.7 μg/L while the method based on the formation of copper complex gives a reproducibility of 6%, a recovery of 93% and a detection …