PROGRESS AND PROBLEMS IN ORGANIC MICROANALYSIS BY ION CHROMATOGRAPHY

Results generated on a set of known samples, which were submitted as r outine samples to the analysts, over a period of many years, are used as a basis for comparing microanalytical results. These comparisons ar e made for sulfur and chlorine determinations conducted with both the more common titrimetric methods and ion chromatographic methods. The v ariations observed in the chromatographic methods are studied in great er detail and a means of eliminating nearly all systematic variation i s identified. These improved microanalytical procedures result in chro matographic determinations which are not only interference free, but a lso of significantly greater precision than was obtained using titrati on based methods. Although a method, similar to that used for sulfur a nd chlorine, could be developed for bromine, problems in generalizing them to fluorine and phosphorus determinations were encountered.