Voltammetry of simazine

CHED 1162

Kyle M. Henning, brown@southwestmsu.edu and Jay H. Brown, brown@southwestmsu.edu. Chemistry Program, Southwest Minnesota State University, 1501 State Street, Marshall, MN 56258
Simazine (2-chloro-4,4-bis(ethylamino)-s-triazine) is an herbicide used to control broadleaf weeds and annual grasses. It provides post-emergent protection by interfering with photosynthetic electron transport. Suitable crops can either degrade or safely metabolize the herbicide. Such crops include berries, nuts, vegetables, orchards, and vineyards. Simazine is also used to control weeds in industrial areas.1 The goal of our group is to develop an electro-analytical technique to quantify simazine in the low to sub-parts per billion (ppb) range using a hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). Our method is based upon our group's earlier work with this herbicide. This poster outlines the steps necessary to optimize our earlier experimental conditions. Such procedures may prove useful for industries interested in water quality measurements.

1. See http://extoxnet.orst.edu (accessed 10/14/05)