FLUOROMETRIC-DETERMINATION OF FORMALDEHYDE

A simple, selective and sensitive fluorometric method is presented for the determination of formaldehyde in water based on its reaction with 3,4-diaminoanisole in alkaline ethanol-water solution to give a stron gly fluorescing Schiff base. The dependence of the fluorescence intens ity on the solvent composition, quenching by acetic and sulphuric acid , heating time and interference by other compounds is discussed. The d etection limit of the method is 0.6 mu g/L. The recovery of formaldehy de spiked into river water is 93% with an R.S.D of 6.05% at a concentr ation level of 10 mu g/L.