The reaction of Cr(VI) with o-nitrophenylfluorone (NPF) in presence of cetyltrimethyl-ammonium bromide (CTMAB) to form a purplish red complex at pH 4.7-6.6 by heating at 50 degrees for 10 min has been investigated. The composition of the complex is 1:2:2 [Cr(VI):NPF:CTMAB], the wavelength of maximum absorbance is 582 nm. The molar absorptivity is 1.11 x 10(5)1.mole(-1).cm(-1). Beer's law is obeyed up to 0.2 microg ml Cr(VI) concentration. The interference of several ions, including Cu(2+), Fe(3+) and Al(3+), is eliminated by addition of a masking mixture containing KF, DCTA and tartrate. A new sensitive method for determination of chromium in waste water and soil is presented.