Solvent extraction and spectrophotometric including graphite furnace atomic absorption determination of molybdenum in the environment

A selective and sensitive method for the extraction and microgram determination of molybdenum (VI) with hydroxamic acid as yellow molybdenum-hydroxamate complex from acidic medium is described. The molybdenum-PCPPSAHA complex has lambda(max) 388 nm, molar absorptivity 5.0 x 10(3) 1 mol(-1)cm(-1). The system obeys Beer's law in the range: of 1-28 mu g/ml of molybdenum(VI). Sandell's sensitivity is 0.0192 mu g cm(2) and stoichiometry of the complex is 1:2, molybdenum: PCPPSAHA while mixed complex molybdenum-PCPPSAHA-morin has lambda(max) 400 nm and molar absorptivity 5.9 x 10(3) 1 mol(-1)cm(-1) and stoichiometry of the complex is 1:2:1. The molybdenum is determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry after directly pipetted the extract into the furnace which increases the sensitivity 20 fold.