Determination of copper in metallic uranium: Analytical methods of trace substances in metallic uranium V

A rapid method of determination of copper in metallic uranium using dithizone was proposed. As the fundamental studies, molecular extinction coefficient of dithizone complexes of various metals, and the optimum pH range for the extraction of copper-dithizone complex have been investigated. A rapid determination of copper was developed by taking up the sample in hydrochloric acid and hydrogen peroxide, evaporating it to dryness, adjusting the reaction to pH 1.82.2 by addition of aqueous ammonia, extracting copper with dithizone-carbon tetrachloride and measuring the light absorbance at 531.5mμ. By this method, estimation of copper in the range of 0.315μg/5ml was possible, and the presence of silver up to 10μg showed no disturbing influence. Subsequent determinations of nickel, cobalt, and zinc from the same sample were also possible.