Facilitated Transport of Alkali Metal Ions Across Bulk Liquid Membrane Containing Phenoxy Compounds as Carrier

Abstract

The carrier activity of several phenoxy ethers toward the facilitated transport of alkali metal ions through a chloroform bulk liquid membrane has been studied. A brief description of the synthesis of carrier compounds has been given, and the mechanism of transport process has been discussed. The organic carriers are protonated on the receiving side of a permeation cell, and the protons are exchanged with the metal ions at the membrane interphase of the feed side. Protonation of carriers has been confirmed from electronic spectral studies. A high degree of selectivity for Na⁺ transport has been observed when 1,2-bis-(2-acetyl phenoxy) ethane is used as carrier whereas dibenzo-[a,e]-3,4-dihydroxy-3,4-dimethyl-7,10-dioxocyclodeca-1,5-dione facilitated selective transport of K⁺.

Acknowledgments