Di-tert-butylazodicarboxylate based PVC membrane sensor for Fe(III) ion measurement in pharmaceutical formulation

Preliminary solution study shows the selectivity of di-tert-butylazodicarboxylate (TBADC) toward Fe(III) ions. Due to this selectivity, it was applied as an ionophore for construction of a Fe(III) sensor. The proposed sensor exhibits a wide linear response range with a Nerstian slope of 19.4 ± 0.4 mV decade− 1 and detection limit of 4.8 × 10− 8 mol L− 1. The sensor response is pH independent in the range of 2.3–3.4 and has a fast response time of < 10 s. It also shows very good selectivity to Fe(III) ion over many mono-,di- and trivalent transition and heavy metal ions. The life time of the electrode was at least 10 weeks. The application of the TBADC-based sensor to analysis of Fe(III) ion in a pharmaceutical formulation, and also to the monitoring of Fe(III) ion in mixtures of two, three and four different ions showed satisfactory results.