Spectrophotometric methods for determination of vanadium: a review

Vanadium (V) is widely used industrially, and plays an important role in the biosphere. Sensitive and reliable analytical methods to determine V in various kinds of samples are of extensive interest. Mainly two spectrophotometric methods developed in the last decade are discussed, namely complex formation methods and catalytic methods. The former is based on either oxidation or reduction of V leading to coloured complexes with proper reagents; they are applicable to determination of V at the mg L−1 level. Catalytic methods are based on the ability of V to catalyse the oxidation of various organic dyes and are applicable to determination at the μg L−1 level. Both methods are used for determination of V in environmental and biological samples.