Extraction and preconcentration of copper from water, soils, lubricating oils and plant materials and its subsequent determination by atomic-absorption spectrophotometry.

The extraction and preconcentration of the cupric thiocyanate complex with 4-(5-nonyl)pyridine in benzene is possible from neutral or up to 2M HCl, 0.5M HNO(3) or 0.25M H(2)SO(4) solutions. The method has considerable advantages over previously recommended extraction procedures because of selectivity, completeness of extraction in a single operation, short contact period, minimum amount of complexing agents needed and wide tolerance to various solution parameters. The complex formed from as little as 1 mug of copper can be extracted quantitatively into 1 ml of the organic phase from 500 ml of natural water. An extraction method is described which in combination with AAS can be used to determine copper in water, soils, fresh and used lubricating oils and plant-ash solutions down to the ng/ml or ng/g level.