Spectrophotometric Determination of Fluometuron Via Complexation with Fe(III): Method Development, Validation, and Application to Environmental Samples

J Fluoresc. 2026 Feb;36(2):1065-1074. doi: 10.1007/s10895-025-04625-z. Epub 2025 Nov 7.

Abstract

A simple, cost-effective, accurate, and sensitive spectrophotometric method has been developed for the determination of fluometuron in environmental samples. The method is based on the formation of a metal complex between fluometuron and Fe(III), exhibiting maximum absorbance at 347 nm. The calibration curve followed Beer's law in the concentration range of 0.25-5.0 µg mL- 1, with a correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.997, indicating excellent linearity. The method demonstrated a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.0787 µg mL- 1 and a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.238 µg mL- 1. Recovery studies performed on spiked environmental matrices showed high accuracy, with percent recoveries ranging from 82.12 ± 2.95% to 97.80 ± 6.11%. The developed method was successfully applied to the analysis of fluometuron in real samples, including tap water, canal water, pond water, and soil, confirming its reliability for routine environmental monitoring.

Keywords: Environmental monitoring; Fluometuron; Limit of detection; Metal complex; Tap water.

Publication types

  • Validation Study
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Coordination Complexes* / chemistry
  • Environmental Monitoring / methods
  • Ferric Compounds* / chemistry
  • Limit of Detection
  • Spectrophotometry / methods
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical* / analysis

Substances

  • Ferric Compounds
  • Coordination Complexes
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical