The Influence of the Alkyl Chain Length on Extraction Equilibrium of Cu(II) Complexes with 1‐Alkylimidazoles in Aqueous Solution/Organic Solvent Systems

Abstract

The partition of Cu(II) complexes with 1‐alkylimidazoles (with alkyl ranging from 1‐n‐butyl through 1‐n‐hexadecyl) between the aqueous ((0.5HL, K)NO₃) and organic phase has been studied at 25°C. The organic solvents used were toluene, p‐xylene, tetrahydronaphthalene, dichloromethane, 2‐ethyl‐1‐hexanol, and others. Extraction curves have been shown to be displaced towards lower pH values with increasing alkyl chain length of the alkyl substituent. Stability constants of the Cu(II) complexes with the 1‐alkylimidazoles have been determined in the aqueous phase as well as the number of compounds extractable into the organic solvent, and their partition ratios. Stability constants of the complexes did not depend on the alkyl chain length. One or two complexes were transferred to the organic phase. Partition ratios of these complexes, P ₁ and P ₂, increased rapidly with increasing alkyl chain length. They were higher in magnitude than those of their Co(II), Ni(II), and Zn(II) counterparts.

Keywords:

• Cu(II) complexes
• solvent extraction
• 1‐alkylimidazole
• alkyl chain length
• stability constants
• partition ratio