The methods available for the determination of metals in organic compounds were reviewed some three years ago 1. Since that time several newer methods have appeared in the literature and it was considered desirable to bring the review up-to-date. The present paper covers developments since 1951.Several papers of a general nature have been published. Wurzschmitt and Zimmermann ~ have discussed the use of a nickel bomb for the determination of selenium and silicon, in addition to sulphur, phosphorus and the halogens, in organic compounds. Two bombs of different sizes were described; one had a volume of 18 ml and was used in the macro method, .the other, of 3.5 ml capacity, was used in the micro method. The oxidant used was a mixture of sodium peroxide, potassium nitrate and sugar in the proportions of 15 g, 2.5 g and 0.5 g for the macro procedure and 2.5 g, 0.5 g and 0.1 g for the semi-micro and micro methods. In a later paper Wurzschmitt 3 described a new oxidant for use in bombs. The bomb was filled, without mixing, with ethylene glycol, sodium peroxide and the compound to be analysed. At 56 ~ C, while the bomb was still relatively cold, the glycol began to react with the compound so that the reaction rate was decreased. This resulted in a saving of time and it also reduced the wear on the material of the bomb. In the same paper the construction and use of a new universal bomb suitable for macro, semi-micro and micro procedures was described.A series of articles 4-7 have been published in Russian which are stated to deal with the synthesis, properties, reactions and methods of analysis of the organic compounds of lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, caesium, mercury and the group 3 and 4 metals. 73*
