Periodate determination by fia with chemiluminescence emission detection, and its application to ethylene glycol.

A method for periodate determination is given which combines the rapidity of flow-injection analysis and the sensitivity of chemiluminescence (CL) detection. It is based on the CL emission generated during oxidation of pyrogallol by periodate, and gives a relative standard deviation of 3% and a detection limit of 350 ng with the instrumentation used. The method has been applied to determination of ethylene glycol, with a detection limit of 0.5 mumole. The accuracy of the method is quite good when the ethylene glycol is oxidized in unbuffered solutions, and the interference due to formaldehyde produced can be halved by prior addition of an appropriate amount of iodate. A throughput of 15 samples/min is possible, and the method is suitable for automation and remote control.