Abstract
A new simple and selective spectrophotometric method is developed for the determination of dimethoate by using Azure-B is described. The method was based on the alkaline hydrolysis of dimethoate in presence of sodium ethoxide to form sodium dimethyl dithiophosphate (Na-DMDTP). The Na-DMDTP was formed as an ion-pair complex with cationic dye, azure-B. The ion-pair complex was extracted into chloroform. The color of the organic layer was measured at 535 nm. The method was applied to the determination of dimethoate residues in water, grain and soil samples.