Question

What is masking and demasking agents in analytical chemistry?

Answer 1

Hint : These are used in chemical analysis to protect it from any interference in the analysis. One of them protect interference in the ongoing analysis whereas the other helps in regaining the ability to do so for prior reagent.

Complete Step By Step Answer:
Analytical chemistry uses the instruments and methods which are used to separate or identify and also to quantify the matter. In general practice the processes such as separation, identification or quantification might constitute the entire analysis or may be it get combined with another method.
Analytical chemistry also focuses on improvements in the experimental designs and the creation/invention of new measurement tools for better analysis.
The qualitative analysis identifies the analytes whereas the quantitative analysis determines the numerical amount or we can say concentration.
Analytical chemistry has been consisting the classical, wet chemical methods and the modern instrumental methods. The classical qualitative methods are used to separate such as precipitation, extraction and distillation. The identification is completely based on the differences in their colour, odor, melting point, solubility, reactivity etc.
However, the modern analytical chemistry is dominating because of its by sophisticated instrumentation but the roots of analytical chemistry and many of its principles used in modern instruments are coming from the traditional techniques, many of which are still used today.
A masking agent is a reagent which is basically used in the chemical analysis that reacts with some chemical species that might interfere in the ongoing analysis whereas demasking is the process where the masked substance regains its ability of entering into a particular reaction which is going on.

Note :
In sports, a masking agent is used to hide the detection of a banned substance or some illegal drugs like anabolic steroids or may be stimulants. Diuretics are the most common form of masking agent and they work by enhancing the water loss via urine excretion.