FIELD: analytical chemistry. SUBSTANCE: sample to be analyzed is treated with 5% mercury (II) oxide solution in 60% nitric acid at 100 C sodium hydroxide solution is added to the reaction mixture to adjust pH to 5-6, treated with 2,3,5-triphenyl terazolium chloride solution and extracted with trichloroethane. The colored extract is separated and ethanol is added to the extract in amount of 20% of the total volume of the resulting solution, and the solution is then evaluated photometrically. The claimed method makes it possible to determine selectively benzene and methyl derivatives thereof. EFFECT: more efficient determination method. 4 tbl
