A complexometric method for the determination of mercury(II) in presence of other metal ions is described based on the selective masking action of 2-mercaptopropionic acid towards mercury(II). Mercury(II) present in a given sample solution is first complexed with an excess of EDTA and the unreacted EDTA is titrated against zinc sulphate solution at pH 5-6 (hexamine buffer) using xylenol orange as the indicator. A 0.5% aqueous solution of 2-mercaptopropionic acid is then added to displace EDTA from the Hg(II)-EDTA complex. The released EDTA is estimated. Reproducible and accurate results are obtained for 4-88 mg of mercury(II) with relative error less than ± 0.46% and coefficient of variation not more than 0.34%. The effects of various ions were studied. The method is used for the analysis of mercury in its synthetic alloy mixtures and also in complexes.

Karthikeyan, J.Parameshwara, P.Nityananda Shetty, A.N.Shetty, P.2026-02-05Indirect cIndian Journal of Chemical Technology, 2005, 12, 3, pp. 361-3640971457Xhttps://idr.nitk.ac.in/handle/123456789/2792120052-mercaptopropionic acidComplexometric titrationMercury(II)A complexometric method for the determination of mercury(II) in presence of other metal ions is described based on the selective masking action of 2-mercaptopropionic acid towards mercury(II). Mercury(II) present in a given sample solution is first complexed with an excess of EDTA and the unreacted EDTA is titrated against zinc sulphate solution at pH 5-6 (hexamine buffer) using xylenol orange as the indicator. A 0.5% aqueous solution of 2-mercaptopropionic acid is then added to displace EDTA from the Hg(II)-EDTA complex. The released EDTA is estimated. Reproducible and accurate results are obtained for 4-88 mg of mercury(II) with relative error less than ± 0.46% and coefficient of variation not more than 0.34%. The effects of various ions were studied. The method is used for the analysis of mercury in its synthetic alloy mixtures and also in complexes.