The Potential of Ferrocenium as a Sensing Reagent for Determination of 2,4,6-Trichlorophenol in Water Samples

Abstract

A ferrocenium namely bisferrocenium bis(tetrachloroantimonate) trichloroantimony ((Fe(C2H5)2)[SbCl4]2[SbCl3]) was proposed as a sensing reagent to detect the presence of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP) in domestic tap water and river water by using a UV-Visible spectrophotometric. The absorbance intensity of ferrocenium was found to decrease at wavelength 617 nm and cause the reagent solution to change its colour from blue to yellowish green which indicates the conversion of ferrocenium to ferrocene. This sensing reagent (2000 mg/L) showed optimum respon in acidic medium (pH 5) within 3 minutes. A good linear concentration was obtained in the range of 20 to 190 mg/L with limit of detection to be 1.56 mg/L. The proposed reagent was recommended as a potential reagent for 2,4,6-TCP detection in aqueous solution.