Determination of palladium by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy without matrix matching

A graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy method for the analysis of the palladium (Pd) content in bulk pharmaceutical drug substances and their intermediates prepared in aqueous solutions is extended to samples prepared in acetonitrile (ACN) and ACN–water mixtures as well to samples prepared in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and DMSO–water mixtures. The Pd content in samples solubilized in these solvents can be accurately determined with calibration established with standards prepared in aqueous solutions without matrix matching or using the method of standard additions. The validity of this method is demonstrated by spike recovery studies and by the agreement with results for the same samples prepared in these solvents, in concentrated nitric acid, and prepared by a microwave digestion system.