Differential-pulse polarographic micro-determination of formaldehyde via in situ derivatization with Girard's reagent T

Formaldehyde, after in situ derivatization with Girard's reagent T, was determined in aqueous solution using differential-pulse polarography. A single peak was obtained at pH 8 when using 1 × 10–3 mol l–1 NH4Cl/NH3 as the supporting electrolyte. The minimum detectable concentration of formaldehyde was 1.3 × 10–6 mol l–1. As little as 0.2 µg of formaldehyde can be determined accurately by using this method. In addition, acetaldehyde was proven to not interfere with the formaldehyde determination.