Simultaneous determination of Cr(III)–EDTA and Cr(VI) by ion interaction chromatography using a C18 column

The simultaneous determination of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) by ion interaction chromatography has been investigated. The mobile phase consisted of a 5 mM octylammonium orthophosphate at pH 4.0 with 35% (v/v) MeOH. The Nucleosil-100, C18 (5 μm, 250 × 4.6 mm) was used as the separating column and the component was detected at 200 nm. The separation of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) was based on anionic interaction. Since the Cr(III) did not exist as an anionic form like the Cr(VI) (Cr2O72−) presented at the optimum condition, Cr(III) was firstly reacted with EDTA (1:40 mole ratio) to form the anionic complex prior to injecting into the chromatographic system. The characteristics of the method for separation of Cr(III)–EDTA and Cr(VI) were satisfactory. The wide linear range (0.3–50.0 mg l−1) was achieved. The repeatabilities (%R.S.D.) calculated from peak areas were 0.49% and 0.14%, detection limit (signal to noise ratio of 3) of 0.02 mg l−1 and 0.3 mg l−1 were obtained and the average of percent recoveries were found to be 98.5% and 99.6% for Cr(III) and Cr(VI), respectively.