Use of an ether-derived 3-hydroxy-4-pyridinone chelator as a new chromogenic reagent in the development of a microfluidic paper-based analytical device for Fe(III) determination in natural waters.

This article reports on the development and validation of a disposable microfluidic paper-based analytical device (μPAD) for on-hand, in-situ, and cheap Fe(III) determination in natural waters complying with World Health Organization guidelines. The developed μPAD used 3-hydroxy-4-pyridinone (3,4-HPO) as a colour reagent due to its considerably lower toxicity than traditionally used iron analytical reagents. It was selected among a group of hydrophilic 3,4-HPO chelators containing ether-derived chains in their structure which were prepared using green methods.