Phosphite ions constitute an important inorganic component as phosphorus source in soil fertilization, showing a large number of advantages in relation to phosphate. The determination of this compound in fertilizing products is realized by classical methods of analysis as gravimetry, in the form of magnesium pyrophosphate or by mercurous chloride formation. However, there are some disadvantages in these methods as the necessity of high times of digestion and possible toxic residue production. So, this work has the objective to propose an alternative electrochemical method for phosphite determination. Electrochemical modification on electrode surface by electrodeposition of palladium has exhibited catalytic effect for oxidation of phosphite to phosphate ions in 1,0mol.L-1 sulfuric acid aqueous medium, being obtained a linear dependence in relation to phosphite concentration from 5,0x10-6 to 5,0x10-4 mol.L-1 with an amperometric sensibility of 8,5x10(4) muA.mol-1.L and a detection limit of 3.67x10-6 mol.L-1. In the absence of palladium film on platinum electrode no anodic peak current is observed for phosphite oxidation.
Phosphite; modified electrode; voltammetry
