SENSITIVE DETERMINATION OF PERIODATE AND TARTARIC ACID BY STOPPED-FLOW CHEMILUMINESCENCE SPECTROMETRY

The stopped-flow technique was used for the determination of periodate by;measuring the chemiluminescence produced on reaction with luminol, enhanced by manganese(II) and triethanolamine. The method was also ap plied to the determination of tartaric acid by oxidation with periodat e. Under the optimum conditions,responses were linear between 1.0 x 10 (-6) and 2.5 x 10(-4) mol l(-1) periodate and from 5.0 x 10(-6) to 5.0 x 10(-5) mol l(-1) tartaric acid, with a relative standard deviation below about 2% in both instances. The proposed method compares favoura bly with existing alternatives in terms of sensitivity and sampling fr equency. It was used for the determination of tartaric acid in pharmac eutical preparations, the results being consistent with the manufactur ers' certified contents.