Quantitative determination of formaldehyde by spectrophotometry utilizing multivariate Curve resolution alternating least squares

Abstract

Formaldehyde is a vastly used material in industry. Nowadays, it is proven that formaldehyde is toxic and carcinogenic. Thus providing a reliable method for its quantitative determination is very important. This study proposes a UV-Vis spectrophotometric based method for determination of formaldehyde. The method is based on reaction between the analyte and Fluoral P. Spectral changes during the time were mathematically analyzed using a chemometrics technique, called "multivariate curve resolution alternating least squares" (MCR-ALS). Data processing by this chemometrics technique enhanced the reliability of the UV-Vis spectrophotometry for quantitative analysis of formaldehyde in real samples.

KEY WORDS: Formaldehyde, Fluoral P, UV-Visible, Multivariate curve resolution alternating least squares; Quantitative analysis

Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2012, 26(2), 299-304.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v26i2.13