Selective Transport of Alkali Metal Cations in Solvent Extraction by Proton-Ionizable Dibenzocrown Ethers

Abstract
Lipophilic crown ethers with pendant proton-ionizable groups are novel metal complexing agents for use in solvent extraction of alkali metal cations. A variety of dibenzocrown ether carboxylic acids and dibenzo crown phosphonic acid monoesters have been examined to probe the effect of structural variation within the complexing agent upon selectivity and efficiency in solvent extraction. Results from competitive solvent extractions of alkali metal cations from aqueous solutions into chloroform are summarized.