FIA-AAS determination of salicylic acid by a solid-phase reactor of copper carbonate incorporated in polyester resin beads.

The determination of salicylic acid was carried out by reaction of the drug with copper carbonate entrapped in a polymeric material in a solid-phase reactor; the released cupric ions were monitored by flame atomic absorption at 324.8 nm. The calibration graph is linear over the range 4.0-75 mug ml(-1) of salicylic acid, with a relative standard deviation of less than 1.5% and a sample throughout of 257 h(-1). The influence of foreign compounds was studied and the method was applied to the determination of salicylic acid content in two different pharmaceutical formulations.