Chemical-vapor generation of transition metals through the reaction with tetrahydroborate in recent achievements in analytical atomic spectrometry

We overview the literature available in the past 10 years relevant to chemical-vapor generation (CVG) of transition metals in analytical atomic spectrometry. We focus attention on chemical and physical parameters facilitating reaction efficiency, and other experimental conditions affecting efficient separation and transportation of the volatile species generated. We discuss the overall efficiency of the process and the susceptibility to interferences in the liquid and gaseous phases with respect to the two-step mechanism of the generation of volatile species and the chemical nature of analyte vapors. We highlight the role of reaction enhancers, such as complexing reagents, surfactants, dispersed metals and ionic liquids. Finally, we give examples of analytical figures of merit and analytical applications of CVG with different methods of atomic spectrometry.