Catal's reagent

Catal's reagent is commercially available. 1-(Dodecylthio)anthracene-9,10-dione) can be synthesized according to previous reports.[2] 1-Chloro anthraquinone compound (1g) (1) and 25 mL ethylene glycol are stirred in the reaction flask, then 1-Dodecanethiol (0.83 g) (2) is added in the reaction flask. A yellowish reaction mixture is obtained at the end. 10 ml of aquous potasium hydroxide solution is added to this mixture and the reaction temperature rises to 120-130°C. After reflux (48h) yellow thio anthraquinone compound (3) can be obtained. The product is extracted with chloroform (30 mL). Organic layer is washed with water and is dried with calcium sulphate. Synthesized molecule is purified by column chromatography. The synthesized thioanthraquinone analogue is bright yellow and solid. 1-(Dodecylthio)anthracene-9,10-dione) is dissolved in organic solvents such as ethanol, methanol and acetonitrile to prepare the reagent called as Catal’s reagent.

In the reaction medium of Catal’s Reagent, the sulfur atom in the thioanthraquinone molecule is oxidized to the sulfoxide group in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. This anthraquinone sulphoxide derivative, formed, forms an anthraquinone-metal complex with oxidized iron in the medium. Meanwhile, the yellow solution of the kit solution turns brownish red which can also be measured spectrophotometrically.

Catal’s reagent is specific to iron (II) sulfate, and can be used in environmental and agricultural areas as well as in the food, textile and cement industries. Catal’s reagent could also be used as an agent in paper based sensors or nanotechnology-based iron detection in various samples such as environmental or biological fluids.

Woollins' reagent