FIA POTENTIOMETRIC AND SOLVENT-EXTRACTION STUDIES OF ALKALI-METAL AND ALKALINE-EARTH CATION COMPLEXATION BY BIS(TERT-BUTYLBENZO)-21-CROWN-7

A flow injection analysis study of the potentiometric selectivity of bis[4(5)-tert-butylbenzo]-21-crown-7 (D(tBB)21C7) for cesium over the other alkali metal cations and three alkaline earth cations has been conducted. A PVC matrix membrane containing D(tBB)21C7 as an ionophore was coated on the tip of a silver wire incorporated in a flow cell. No selectivity for cesium over rubidium and only low selectivity over potassium were noted. However, very high selectivities for cesium over sodium, lithium, strontium, calcium, and magnesium were observed. Selectivity of D(tBB)21C7 in the solvent extraction of alkali metal cations was determined by the picrate extraction method. The percent extraction into deuteriochloroform decreased in the order cesium, rubidium > potassium >> sodium >> lithium. Thus good agreement was observed between the responses of D(tBB)21C7 towards alkali metal cations in polymeric membrane electrodes and in solvent extraction.