Inorganic tin(II) determination by FIA with amperometric detection of its oxinate complex

A highly selective, rapid and direct amperometric method, based on the formation of a complex between tin(II) and 8-hydroxyquinoline (oxine), has been developed for the determination of trace levels of tin(II) using flow injection analysis. Tin(II) electro-oxidation was catalyzed by oxine; its oxidation peak occurred at +0.05 V vs. Ag/AgCl at a glassy carbon electrode in 0.1 mol l(-1) acetate buffer (pH 6). A linear relationship was obtained between the peak current and the tin(II) concentration in the range 0.25-20 mu mol l(-1). The detection limit was 0.1 mu mol l(-1) and the relative standard deviation calculated by the injection of a 10 mu mol l(-1) tin(II) solution was 5% (n = 20). Optimization of several experimental parameters has been carried out and the influence of numerous cations and possible interfering molecules encountered in radiopharmaceuticals and in dental gels has been investigated. The method was applied to the determination of tin(II) in dental gels.