This paper describes a rapid and effective UV–VIS spectrophotometric method for quantitative determination of 1– and 2–naphthols in water and chloroform. The λmaxof 1– and 2–naphthols were measured at 321.6 and273.6nm in water, and at323.0 and 275.4 nm in chloroform, respectively. For simultaneous determination, the method involved measurements ofλmax of 1– and 2–naphthols at 285.0 and274.4 nm in mixed solutions of water, and at 287.0 and 276.2 nm in mixed solutions of chloroform, respectively. Beer Lambert’s law was obeyed at concentration range of1– 40 μg/mL and 5 – 30 μg/mL for 1− and 2−naphthols in neat solutions and mixed solutions of chloroform or water, respectively. The UV–VIS spectrophotometric method developed and reported herein is not only precise but highly reliable based on the results of the precision and stability (inter– and intra–days) studies. As such, the proposed method is useful for quantitative analysis of compounds of interest in the pharmaceutical and agricultural industries.
