Differential pulse voltammetric determination of trace rotenone using molecularly imprinted polymer microspheres

A new voltammetric method for the determination of rotenone is described. It is based on the reduction of an electroactive derivative of rotenone on the surface of an electrode. Rotenone in water was pre-concentrated using a new type of molecularly imprinted polymer microspheres and can react with hydrazine chloride to produce the electroactive derivative. The experimental conditions were discussed. Under optimum conditions, it was found that the peak potential (Ep) of the derivative of rotenone is −1.02 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). Using the proposed procedure rotenone can be determined in the range 0.2–400 μg L−1. The detection limit for rotenone is 0.1 μg L−1 and the relative standard deviation for 100 μg L−1 rotenone is 1.99 %. The method was applied to the determination of rotenone in water samples with satisfactory results.