Assessment of condensation of aromatic aldehydes with polyurethane foam for their determination in waters by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and colorimetry

The new reaction of polyurethane foam (PUF) with different aromatic aldehydes has been investigated. It proceeds with participation of terminal toluidine groups of PUF and yields coloured polymeric Shiff bases which can be used as convenient analytical forms for the determination of aromatic aldehydes by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The spectral characteristics of the products have been discussed. The optimal conditions of such interaction for different aromatic aldehydes have been found. It has been shown that a new approach based on using desktop scanner, digital camera and computer data processing can be used for evaluation of colour intensity of polymeric Schiff bases. The prospects for using PUF as a polymeric chromogenic reagent for determination of aromatic aldehydes have been considered. This approach seems to be promising for monitoring of aromatic aldehydes in environment.