Raman Spectroscopy in Trace Analysis for Phenols in Water

Data are reported for the determination of 2-, 3-, and 4-nitrophenols in water by Raman spectroscopy. Simultaneous multicomponent determination is shown to be possible with the use of correlation and least-squares data treatments. Detection limits of 0.03, 0.4, 0.07, and 0.2 mg/L are reported for 2-nitro-, 3-nitro-, 4-nitro-, and 2-chloro-4-nitro-phenol, respectively, with the use of the 458-nm line of an argon-ion laser. The potential for ultraviolet resonance enhancement in the determination of phenols has been examined with the use of the 337.1-nm line of a nitrogen laser. Enhancement results are reported for phenol and eight substituted phenols.