There are a few instances of estimating Fe
+3 by utilization of absorption at 300mμ of ferric sulfate complex, but there is no instance of its application to the quantitative determination of S and SO
4. The author has investigated a rapid and simple determination of S and SO
4 by measuring the absorption at 380mμ of ferric sulfate complex, and has obtained the absorption curve of the complex salt. Using a wave length of 380mμ the determination of S and SO
4 without any disturbing influence from the presence of a large excess of iron perchlorate was possible. The influence on the light absorbancy of iron, of perchloric acid and of the temperature of the solution were also determined: the error of light absorbancy of 2mg iron and 1m
l perchloric acid using a solution of 0.3g iron and 30m
l perchloric acid was 0.4%; and the error produced by a change in temperature was approx. 0.8%/1°C. The standard curve for estimation was derived and is presented. This method is suitable for determination of 0.430mg of S. Various interfering substances are listed in a table; among them, the interference of Cr
6+ could be avoided by reduction with H
2O
2. That of Cl
- and of NO
3- could be avoided by white fuming temperature treatment, but this was accompanied by a partial volatilization of SO
4, and data to indicate this tendency are given.
Tabulated results of the estimation of S and SO
4 in practical samples by this method are also presented: these results were obtained, by in one case, fusion of the sample in Na
2O
2, dissolving it in hot water, filtering and using a portion of the filtrate. This was treated with 30m
l iron perchlorate (containing 0.3g Fe
3+ and 30m
l HClO
4), and made up to 50m
l with water, after which the light absorbancy at 380mμ was estimated. In another case, the results were obtained by dissolving the sample in water, adding 30m
l iron perchlorate solution, and then treating it as above. The time required for analysis was 1030 min.
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