Rapid determination of methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl in gasoline by FAAS

A new method using microemulsified samples is presented. The method is suitable for the determination of manganese, present as methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl, in gasoline in the range 0 similar to 75 mu g ml(-1). The method has the advantage of simplicity, speed and the use of aqueous standards for calibration instead of organic standards. Coexistent elements do not disturb the determination. Results obtained by this method were better than those obtained by other methods for the same samples.