Determination of boron in plants and soils with a rapid modification of the curcumin method utilizing different 1,3‐diols to eliminate interferences

Abstract

A rapid modification of the “curcumin method”; is presented, which is comparatively insensitive to interfering ions such as NO₃ ⁻, and Fe³⁺. No water elimination step is needed and the reaction time is only 10 minutes. The coefficient of variation does not exceed 0,6% at 0,1 ppm boron. When a reduction in precision is acceptable a modification is presented with only 3 minutes reaction time. Detection limit is as low as 0,0004 ppm boron without previous concentration. The problem with solutions containing F⁻ and high amounts of NO₃ ⁻, and peroxides is avoided by using 2,2‐dimethyl ‐1,3‐hexamediol in chloroform as an extractant. The method can be easily automated.