Catalytic effects as the origin of some interferences in flame spectrometry

Abstract A new explanation for a range of hitherto quite unexplained interference phenomena is put forward and subjected to experimental verification. It is suggested that the interfering metal may be acting through a catalysis of the recombination of excess free radical concentrations in the flame, thereby leading to the possibility of significant disturbance of the proportion of analyte metal bound up in compound form. It is suggested, for example, that the metals Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Sn, Cr, U, and Mn may, in described circumstances, interfere with certain of the (either) atomic or molecular emissions from each other or with certain of the (either) atomic or molecular emissions from Li, K, Rb, Cs, Al, Ga, In and Cu.