VOLUMETRIC DETERMINATION OF SMALL AMOUNTS OF IRIDIUM

Abstract

A volumetric procedure is described for determining small amounts of iridium (from 2 to 20 mgm.). A solution of the metal is heated to dense fumes with sulphuric acid, cooled, diluted with water, and then oxidized with an excess of cerium (IV) sulphate solution. The resultant solution is titrated with a standard 0.01 N iron (II) sulphate solution, the course of the titration being followed potentiometrically. In solutions containing other platinum metals it has been found possible to determine iridium directly in some cases by this procedure; in other cases it was found necessary to remove osmium as the volatile tetroxide prior to oxidizing with cerium (IV) sulphate. The method is probably less accurate than existing gravimetric procedures, but offers considerable advantage in simplicity.