Derivative UV-vis absorption spectra as an invigorated spectrophotometric method for spectral resolution and quantitative analysis: Theoretical aspects and analytical applications: A review

• Spectrophotometric techniques: more economical and with simplified operations.
• Derivative spectrophotometry: Detection and enhancement of minor or subtle spectral features.
• Ratio spectra derivative method: simple, flexible and discriminate broad band interference.
• Diverse analytical applications.

With the objective of extracting a large amount of analytical information from spectral data comprising of unresolved bands, a number of techniques have been proposed. In context to spectral data analysis, 1st or higher order mathematical derivative treatments of absorbance plots have proven to be a pioneer. Pharmacy, food, cosmetics and environment are some of the areas where derivative spectrophotometry (DS) have contributed significantly. Enhancement of peak signals and resolution of overlapping peaks are some of the important applications of derivative spectrophotometry. This enhanced resolving effect may be attributed to the fact that derivative spectrophotometry can easily differentiate between closely adjacent peaks, and identify weak peaks obscured by sharp peaks. The prime objective of this review is to comprehensively address the instrumental development and analytical applications of derivative UV-vis spectrophotometry in 20th century.