Fluorimetric determination of copper(II) in aqueous solution using lucifer yellow CH as selective metal reagent

Lucifer yellow CH is shown to be a highly selective fluorescent reagent for the determination of Cu(III) in the microg L(-1) concentration range. The fluorophore is statically quenched by Cu(II); the carbohydrazide group was assigned as the complexing part of the dye molecule. A total range of Cu(II) determination from 0.06 mg L(-1) (1 micromol L(-1)) to 6.3 mg L(-2) (100 micromol L(-1)) with a limit of detection of 0.019 mg L(-1) (0.3 micromol L(-1)) was obtained, along with surprisingly high selectivity. There was no interference from alkaline and earth alkaline metal ions. The cross sensitivity to heavy metal ions was evaluated by the separate solution method and by competitive binding experiments. Calibration plots are shown for Cu(II) determination at different pH and the dissociation constant was determined. The application of the reagent was demonstrated by the determination of the Cu(II) content of tap water samples.