A hydride generation (HG) procedure has been described for determination of Pb by ICP-MS using
potassium hexacyanomanganate(III), K3Mn(CN)6, as an additive to facilitate the generation of plumbane
(PbH4). Potassium hexacyanomanganate(III) was prepared in acidic medium as it was unstable in water.
The stability of hexacyanomanganate(III) was examined in dilute solutions of HCl, HNO3 and H2SO4. The
solutions prepared in 1% v/v H2SO4 were found to be stable for over a period of 24 h. The least suitable
medium was 1% v/v HNO3. For generation of plumbane, acidic hexacyanomanganate(III) and sample solutions
were mixed on-line along a 5-cm long tygon tubing (1.14 mm i.d.) and then reacted with 2% m/v
sodium borohydride (NaBH4). A concentration of 0.5% m/v K3Mn(CN)6 facilitated the