Spectrophotometric determination of periodate and iodate by a differential kinetic method

A rapid, simple and sensitive differential kinetic method is presented for the determinations of periodate and iodate ions. The method is based on their reaction with iodide in the presence of methylene blue. The reactions can be monitored spectrophotometrically by measuring the decrease in absorbance at 665 nm. Two sets of conditions were established that in one set of conditions only periodate reacted with iodide but in the other set both the ions reacted with iodide during the first 180 s after initiation of the reaction. The data were evaluated by proportional equations. The method allowed the determination of periodate and iodate at concentrations between 0.1 and 1.0 and 0.1 and 1.3 μg ml−1, respectively. The method was applied to the determination of periodate and iodate in tap water and spring water with satisfactory results.