Determination of Pentachlorophenol in Environmental Samples by Spectrophotometry

Pentachlorophenol (PCP) (2,3,4,5,6- pentachlorophenol) is an organochlorine compound used as a pesticide and a disinfectant. PCP is used as a herbicide, insecticide, fungicide and disinfectant. Some applications include agricultural seeds (for nonfood uses), leather, masonry, wood preservation, cooling tower water, rope, and paper mills. Determination of Pentachlorophenol was based on the reaction of PCP with concentrated nitric acid followed by potassium iodide for the liberation of iodine. Liberated iodine reacted with leuco malachite green for the formation of green colour dye which was measured at 610 nm against a reagent blank. Parameters affecting the reaction were studied. The interfering effect of various species was also investigated and the methods were applied on some vegetables and fruit samples.