Conversion of chromium(III) propionate to chromium(VI) by the Advanced Oxidation Process: Pretreatment of a biomimetic complex for metal analysis

The use of H2O2 and UV irradiation to remove organic ligands in a chromium(III) complex for the subsequent chromium analysis is reported. The Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP) using a 5.5-W UV lamp, H2O2 and Fe2+/Fe3+ as catalyst (photo Fenton process) was found to give complete and quantitative Cr(III) → Cr(VI) conversion and removal of ligands in chromium(III) propionate [Cr3O(O2CCH2CH3)6(H2O)3]NO3, a biomimetic chromium species, as subsequent chromium analyses by the 1,5-diphenylcarbazide method and atomic absorption revealed. The current process eliminates the need for mineralization and/or dissolution of the matrix in order to remove the organic ligand, the traditional pretreatments of a sample for metal analysis. Studies to optimize the conditions for the oxidation processes, including the use of Fe2+/Fe3+ catalyst, length of UV irradiation, H2O2 concentration, pH, power of UV lamp, and reactor size, are reported.