Optimization of species stability and interconversion during the complexing reaction for chromium speciation by high‐performance liquid chromatography with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

High‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was employed for the determination of chromium species. For simultaneous separation of both chromium species by an anion‐exchange column, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid was induced to form negatively charged complex with Cr(III) normally. Cr(III) chelating reactions are known to be slow, so a high temperature and long reaction time are needed to ensure the completion of the complexing reaction. However, the stability and interconversion of chromium species during the complexing reaction have not been studied earlier. The main aim of this work was to optimize and investigate complexing reaction conditions between ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and Cr(III). Through optimizing conditions, the reaction will be finished completely in 15 min at pH 7 and 70°C without any obvious interconversion between Cr(VI) and Cr(III). By compromising analysis time, chromatographic resolution, and sensitivity, 60 mM NH₄NO₃ as competing ion concentration and 1.2 mL/min as flow rate have been selected for real‐sample application. Detection limits for Cr(VI) and Cr(III) were 0.051 and 0.078 μg/L, respectively. The proposed method was used for the determination of chromium species in tap and surface water samples with an acceptable range of spiked recoveries of 95–109%.