Visual detection and sequential injection determination of aluminium using a cinnamoyl derivative

•Simple SIA procedure for determination of Al(III) with cinnamoyl derivative.•Visual detection of Al(III) is also possible.•Suggested methods were applied for analysis of water samples and pharmaceuticals.•Cinnamoyl derivative (3–[4–(dimethylamino)cinnamoyl]–4–hydroxy–6–methyl–3,4–2H–pyran–2–one) was used as ligand.

A cinnamoyl derivative, 3–[4–(dimethylamino)cinnamoyl]–4–hydroxy–6–methyl–3,4–2H–pyran–2–one, was used as a ligand for the determination of aluminium. Upon the addition of an acetonitrile solution of the ligand to an aqueous solution containing Al(III) and a buffer solution at pH 8, a marked change in colour from yellow to orange is observed. The colour intensity is proportional to the concentration of Al(III); thus, the ‘naked–eye’ detection of aluminium is possible. The reaction is also applied for sequential injection determination of aluminium. Beer׳s law is obeyed in the range from 0.055 to 0.66 mg L−1 of Al(III). The limit of detection, calculated as three times the standard deviation of the blank test (n=10), was found to be 4 μg L−1 for Al(III). The method was applied for the determination of aluminium in spiked water samples and pharmaceutical preparations.

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