Tetraalkylammonium Picrates in the Dichloromethane–Water System: Ion-Pair Formation and Liquid–Liquid Distribution of Free Ions and Ion Pairs

Equilibria concerning picrates of tetraalkylammonium ions (Me₄N⁺, Et₄N⁺, Pr₄N⁺, Bu₄N⁺, Bu₃MeN⁺) in a dichloromethane−water system have been investigated at 25 ^∘C. The 1:1 ion-pair formation constants (K _IP,o ^o) in dichloromethane at infinite dilution were conductometrically determined. The distribution constants (K _D ^o) of the ion pairs and the free cations between the solvents were determined by a batch-extraction method. The K _IP,o ^o value varies in the cation sequence, Bu₄N⁺ ≈ Pr₄N⁺ ≈ Et₄N⁺ < Bu₃MeN⁺ < < Me₄N⁺; this trend is explained by the electrostatic cation−anion interaction taking into account the structures of the ion pairs determined by density functional theory calculations. For the ion pairs of the symmetric R₄N⁺ cations, there is a linear positive relationship between log₁₀ K _D ^o and the number of methylene groups in the cation (N _{CH 2}). The ion pair of asymmetric Bu₃MeN⁺ has a higher distribution constant than that expected from the above log₁₀ K _D ^o versus N _{CH 2} relationship. These cation dependencies of log₁₀ K _D ^o for the ion pairs are explained theoretically by using the Hildebrand-Scatchard equation. For all the cations, the log₁₀ K _D ^o value of the free cation increases linearly with N _{CH 2}; the variation of log₁₀ K _D ^o is discussed by decomposing the distribution constant into the Born-type electrostatic contribution and the non-Born one, and attributed to the latter that is governed by the differences in the molar volumes of the cations. The cation dependencies of the ion-pair extractability and ion pairing in water are also discussed. An erratum to this article can be found at     

Extraction of Alkali Metal (Li, Na, K) Picrates with Benzo-15-crown-5 into Various Organic Solvents. Elucidation of Fundamental Equilibria Determining the Extraction-ability and -selectivity

To quantitatively elucidate the effects of the benzo group on the extraction-selectively and -ability of benzo-15-crown-5 (B15C5)for alkali metal ions, the constants of the overall extraction (K_ex), thedistribution for various diluents having low dielectric constants (K_D,MLA), and the aqueousion-pair formation (K_MLA) of B15C5-alkali metal (Li, Na, K) picrate 1:1:1 complexes (MLA) weredetermined at 25 °C. The partition constants of B15C5were also measured at 25 °C. The log K_MLA values for Li⁺, Na⁺, and K⁺ are -0.32 ± 0.22, 2.66 ± 0.19, and 0.71 ± 0.47, respectively. In going from 15-crown-5 (15C5) to B15C5, the benzo group considerably decreasesthe K_MLA value for the same alkali metal ion. The distributionbehavior of B15C5 and its 1:1:1 complexes with the alkali metal picrates closely obeys regularsolution theory, omitting chloroform. Molar volumes and solubility parameters of B15C5and the 1:1:1 complexes were determined. For every diluent, the K_ex valuefor B15C5 increases in the order Li⁺ < K⁺ < Na⁺. K_D,MLA makes anunfavorable contribution to the Na⁺ extraction-selectivity of B15C5 because of the smallest molar volume of the Na(B15C5)A complex. The Na⁺ extraction-selectivity of B15C5 is determined completely by much the highest K_Na(B15C5)A value.The extraction-ability and -selectivity of B15C5 for the alkali metal picrates are compared with those of 15C5on the basis of the underlying equilibrium constants.     

Extraction Equilibria between Benzene and Water of Uni- and Bivalent Metal Picrates with Lariat 16-Crown-5: Effect of the Side Arms on the Extraction Ability and Selectivity

The overall extraction constants (K_ex) of uni- andbivalent metal picrates with 15-(2,5-dioxahexyl)-15-methyl-16-crown-5(L16C5) were determined between benzene and water at 25°C. TheK_ex values were analyzed into the constituent equilibriumconstants, i.e., the extraction constant of picric acid, the distributionconstant of the crown ether, the stability constant of the metalion–crown ether complex in water, and the ion-pair extraction constantof the complex cation with the picrate anion. The K_ex valuedecreases in the orders Ag⁺ > Na⁺ >Tl⁺ > K⁺ > Li⁺ andPb²⁺ > Ba²⁺ > Sr²⁺ for theuni- and bivalent metals, respectively, which are the same as those observedfor 16C5. The extraction selectivity was found to be governed by theselectivity of the ion-pair extraction of the L16C5–metal picratecomplex rather than by that of the complex formation in water. Theextraction ability of L16C5 is smaller for all the metals than that of 16C5,which is mostly attributed to the higher lipophilicity of L16C5. Differencesin the extraction selectivity between L16C5 and 16C5 were observed for thebivalent metals but little for the univalent metals. The side-arm effect onthe extraction selectivity was interpreted on the basis of the negativecorrelation between the effect on the complex stability constant in waterand that on the ion-pair extraction constant.     

Selective Solid–Liquid and Liquid–Liquid Extraction of Lithium Chloride Using Strapped Calix[4]pyrroles

LiCl is a classic “hard” ion salt that is present in lithium‐rich brines and a key component in end‐of‐life materials (that is, used lithium‐ion batteries). Its isolation and purification from like salts is a recognized challenge with potential strategic and economic implications. Herein, we describe two ditopic calix[4]pyrrole‐based ion‐pair receptors ( 2 and 3 ), that are capable of selectively capturing LiCl. Under solid–liquid extraction conditions, using 2 as the extractant, LiCl could be separated from a NaCl/KCl salt mixture containing as little as 1 % LiCl with circa 100 % selectivity, while receptor 3 achieved similar separations when the LiCl level was as low as 200 ppm. Under liquid–liquid extraction conditions using nitrobenzene as the non‐aqueous phase, the extraction preference displayed by 2 is KCl>NaCl>LiCl. In contrast, 3 exhibits high selectivity towards LiCl over NaCl and KCl, with no appreciable extraction being observed for the latter two salts.     

Development of new extraction method based on liquid–liquid–liquid extraction followed by dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction for extraction of three tricyclic antidepressants in plasma samples

In the present study, a new extraction method based on a three–phase system, liquid–liquid–liquid extraction, followed by dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction has been developed and validated for the extraction and preconcentration of three commonly prescribed tricyclic antidepressant drugs – amitriptyline, imipramine, and clomipramine – in human plasma prior to their analysis by gas chromatography–flame ionization detection. The three phases were an aqueous phase (plasma), acetonitrile and n–hexane. The extraction mechanism was based on the different affinities of components of the biological sample (lipids, fatty acids, pharmaceuticals, inorganic ions, etc.) toward each of the phases. This provided high selectivity toward the analytes since most interferences were transferred into n–hexane. In this procedure, a homogeneous solution of the aqueous phase (plasma) and acetonitrile (water–soluble extraction solvent) was broken by adding sodium sulfate (as a phase separating agent) and the analytes were extracted into the fine droplets of the formed acetonitrile. Next, acetonitrile phase was mixed with 1,2–dibromoethane (as a preconcentration solvent at microliter level) and then the microextraction procedure mentioned above was performed for further enrichment of the analytes. Under the optimum extraction conditions, limits of detection and lower limits of quantification for the analytes were obtained in the ranges of 0.001–0.003 and 0.003–0.010 μg mL⁻¹, respectively. The obtained extraction recoveries were in the range of 79–98%. Intra– and inter–day precisions were < 7.5%. The validated method was successfully applied for determination of the selected drugs in human plasma samples obtained from the patients who received them.     

Dynamic Spatial Formation and Distribution of Intrinsically Disordered Protein Droplets in Macromolecularly Crowded Protocells

Elastin‐like polypeptides (ELPs) have been proposed as a simple model of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) which can form membraneless organelles by liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) in cells. Herein, the behavior of fluorescently labeled ELP is studied in cytomimetic aqueous two‐phase system (ATPS) encapsulated protocells that are formed using microfluidics, which enabled confinement, changes in temperature, and statistical analysis. The spatial organization of ELP could be observed in the ATPS. Furthermore, changes in temperature triggered the dynamic formation and distribution of ELP‐rich droplets within the ATPS, resulting from changes in conformation. Proteins were encapsulated along with ELP in the synthetic protocells and distinct partitioning properties of these proteins and ELP in the ATPS were observed. Therefore, the ability of ELP to coacervate with temperature can be maintained inside a cell‐mimicking system.     

Surfactin Self‐Assembles into Direct and Reverse Aggregates in Equilibrium and Performs Selective Metal Cation Extraction

On tie‐lines between water‐rich and alkane‐rich solutions, it is shown via scattering experiments that natural lipopeptide surfactin self‐assembles into direct and reverse micelles in equilibrium. Elongated direct micelles in the aqueous phase are present together with small reverse globular aggregates in the organic phase. These latter are made from hydrated surfactant without any “water pool” in the organic phase. The resulting biphasic system is used for liquid–liquid extraction of model metal cations. It is efficient with iron but not with copper or neodymium. Competitive extractions show high selectivity towards iron.     

Coupling of homogeneous liquid–liquid extraction and dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction for the extraction and preconcentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from aqueous samples followed by GC with flame ionization detection

In the present study, a simple and rapid method for the extraction and preconcentration of some polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in water samples has been developed. In this method, two sample preparation methods were combined to obtain high extraction recoveries and enrichment factors for sensitive analysis of the selected analytes. In the first stage of the method, a homogeneous solution containing an aqueous solution and cyclohexyl amine is broken by the addition of a salt. After centrifugation, the upper collected phase containing the extracted analytes is subjected to the following dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction method. Rapid injection of the mixture of cyclohexyl amine resulted from the first stage and 1,1,2‐trichloroethane (as an extraction solvent) into an acetic acid solution is led to form a cloudy solution. After centrifuging, the fine droplets of the extraction solvent are settled down in the bottom of the test tube, and an aliquot of it is analyzed by gas chromatography. Under the optimum extraction conditions, enrichment factors and limits of detection for the studied analytes were obtained in the ranges of 616–752 and 0.08–0.20 μg/L, respectively. The simplicity, high extraction efficiency, short sample preparation time, low cost, and safety demonstrated the efficiency of this method relative to other approaches.     

Extraction of Alkali Metal (Na—Cs) Picrates with Dibenzo-18-crown-6 into Various Organic Solvents. Elucidation of Fundamental Equilibria which Govern the Extraction-Ability and -Selectivity

In order to quantitatively investigate effects of the size, the structuralrigidity, and the lipophilicity of dibenzo-18-crown-6 (DB18C6) on itsextraction-ability and -selectivity for alkali metal ions, constants of theoverall extraction (Kex), the distribution for various diluents of lowdielectric constants (K_D,MLA), and the aqueous ion-pairformation (K_MLA) of DB18C6-alkali metal (Na-—Cs) picrate 1:1:1 complexes were determined at 25°C; the partition constants of DB18C6 itself were also measured at 25°C. The log K_MLA of Na, K, Rb, and Cs are -0.14 ± 0.11, 1.30 ± 0.10, 1.00 ± 0.09, and 0.24 ± 0.11, respectively. The partition behavior of DB18C6 and its1:1:1 complexes with the alkali metal picrates can be clearly explained byregular solution theory, except for chloroform. The molar volumes andsolubility parameters of DB18C6 and the 1:1:1 complexes were determined.A relation between molar volumes of the complexes and K_MLAis discussed. The magnitude of Kex is largely determined by that ofK_D,MLA. For every diluent, the extraction selectivity of DB18C6increases in the order Na > Cs > Rb > K. The K extraction-selectivity of DB18C6 over Na is the highest among all the combinations of the two neighboring alkali metals in the periodic table. The extraction-ability and -selectivity for the alkalimetal picrates and their change with the diluent of DB18C6 were completely elucidated by the four fundamental equilibria and regular solution theory.     

Deep eutectic solvent based homogeneous liquid–liquid extraction coupled with in‐syringe dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction performed in narrow tube; application in extraction and preconcentration of some herbicides from tea

A homogeneous liquid‐liquid extraction performed in narrow tube coupled to in–syringe‐dispersive liquid‐liquid microextraction based on deep eutectic solvent has been developed for the extraction of six herbicides from tea samples. In this method, sodium chloride as a separation agent is filled into the narrow tube and the tea sample is placed on top of the salt. Then a mixture of deionized water and deep eutectic solvent (water miscible) is passed through the tube. In this procedure, the deep eutectic solvent is realized as tiny droplets in contact with salt. By passing the droplets from the tea layer placed on the salt layer, the analytes are extracted into them. After collecting the solvent as separated layer, it is mixed with another deep eutectic solvent (choline chloride/butyric acid) and the mixture is dispersed into deionized water placed in a syringe. After adding acetonitrile to break up the cloudy state, the collected organic phase is injected into gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry. Under optimal conditions, limits of detection and quantification in the ranges of 2.6–8.4 and 9.7–29 ng/kg, respectively, were obtained. The extraction recoveries and enrichment factors in the ranges of 70–89% and 350–445 were obtained, respectively.     

Solvent effects on extraction of potassium picrate with benzo-18-crown-6. A new equation for the determination of ion-pair formation of crown ether-metal salt complexes in water

In order to determine the ion-pair formation constant of a crown ether-metal salt 1:1:1 complex in water, an equation is derived from regular solution theory and its predictions are verified experimentally by the solvent extraction method using benzo-18-crown-6 (B18C6), potassium picrate (KA), and various diluents of low dielectric constant. The distribution constants of B18C6 itself and the overall extraction constants of KA with B18C6 were determined at 25±0.2°C. The distribution constants of the neutral K(B18C6)A complex were calculated from these data. The literature value for the complex-formation constant of K(B18C6)⁺ in water and the ion-pair formation constant (K _K(B18C6)A ) for K(B18C6)A in water determined in this study were log K _K(B18C6)A =3.12±0.23 at 25°C). The distribution behavior of B18C6 and K(B18C6)A is explained in terms of regular solution theory. The molar volumes V (cm³·mol^–1) and solubility parameters (cal^1/2-cm^–3/2) are as follows: V _B18C6 =249±36; V _K(B18C6)A =407±56; _B18C6 = 11.5 ± 0.5; and _K(B18C6)A = 11.5 ± 0.5.     

Dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction combined with nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis for the determination of fluoroquinolone antibiotics in waters

Dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) was combined for the first time with NACE‐UV for the selective determination of eight fluoroquinolone antibiotics (lomefloxacin, levofloxacin, marbofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, sarafloxacin, enrofloxacin, danofloxacin and difloxacin) in mineral and run‐off waters. Field‐enhanced sample injection was carried out in order to improve the sensitivity, whereas pipemidic acid was used as internal standard. The BGE that provided complete separation of the eight analytes and the internal standard was composed of 3 M acetic acid, 49 mM ammonium acetate in 55:45 v/v methanol:ACN. Optimum DLLME conditions (extraction of 5 mL of water at pH 7.6 with 685 μL of CHCl₃ and 1250 μL of ACN, extractant and disperser solvents, respectively) were achieved by means of experimental design methodology. Calibration curves of the whole method were obtained with correlation coefficients (R) higher than 0.994 in all cases. An accuracy and precision study was carried out at different levels of concentration, finding that there were no significant differences (Student's t‐test) between real and spiked concentrations.     

The effect of cation size on ion pairing of methyl orange dye with tetraalkylammonium and benzyltrialkylammonium ions in aqueous solution

Formation constants have been measured by a solvent distribution method for the ion pairing of an arene sulfonate, methyl orange dye, with two series of quaternary ammonium ions: R₄N⁺(R=Et,n-Pr,n-Bu, andn-Pent) and C₆H₅CH₂R₃N⁺ (R=Me, Et,n-Pr,n-Bu,n-Pent, andn-Hex). Ion pairing increases dramatically as the length of the R group increases beyond butyl. Using a hard-sphere model for contact ion pairs, it is estimated that coulombic attraction contributes about –kT to the binding free energy and decreases slightly with increasing size of R₄N⁺. Other factors related to solvation effects, of which cosphere overlap predominates, contribute from –2kT to –7kT of binding energy. Plots of logK for association as a function of cation size show an inflection with decreasing slope between R=propyl and R=butyl. Possible causes for the inflection are considered.     

Sensitive and rapid high‐performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method for estimation of fulvestrant in rabbit plasma

A rapid and sensitive high‐performance liquid chromatography and electrospray tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for estimation of fulvestrant in rabbit plasma using liquid–liquid extraction. The separation and quantification of fulvestrant were achieved by reverse‐phase chromatography on a Sunfire C₁₈ column (50 × 2.1. i.d., 3.5 μm) with isocratic elution at a flow rate of 300 μL/min using norethistrone as an internal standard from 500 μL plasma sample. The method was validated over the concentration range from 0.092 to 16.937 ng/mL with a lower limit of detection of 0.023 ng/mL. The intra‐day and inter‐day accuracy and precision were within 10%. The recovery was 85 and 90% for fulvestrant and norethistrone respectively. The chromatographic run time was only 2.5 min. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Surfactant‐assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction combined with field‐amplified sample stacking in capillary electrophoresis for the determination of mexiletine and lidocaine

A sensitive method for the determination of mexiletine and lidocaine using surfactant‐assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction coupled with capillary electrophoresis was developed. Triton X‐100 and dichloromethane were used as the dispersive agent and extraction solvent, respectively. After the extraction, mexiletine and lidocaine were analyzed using capillary electrophoresis with ultraviolet detection. The detection sensitivity was further enhanced through the use of field‐amplified sample stacking. Under optimal extraction and stacking conditions, the calibration curves were linear over a concentration range of 0.05–1.00 μM for mexiletine and 0.03–1.00 μM for lidocaine. The limits of detection (signal‐to‐noise ratio of 3) were 0.01 and 0.01 μM for mexiletine and lidocaine, respectively. An approximately 1141‐ to 1250‐fold improvement in sensitivity was observed for the two analytes compared with the injection of a standard solution without the surfactant‐assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction and field‐amplified sample stacking procedures. This developed method was successfully applied to the determination of mexiletine and lidocaine in human urine and serum samples. Both precision and accuracy for urine and serum samples were less than 8.7 and 6.7%, respectively. The recoveries of the two analytes from urine and serum samples were 54.7–64.9% and 16.1–56.5%, respectively.     

Extraction of Sodium and Potassium Perchlorates with Dibenzo-18-crown-6 into Various Organic Solvents. Quantitative Elucidation of Anion Effects on the Extraction-Ability and -Selectivity

The constants for overall extraction into various diluents of low dielectric constants (K_ex) and aqueous ion-pair formation (K_MLA) of dibenzo-18-crown-6 (DB18C6)–sodium and potassium perchlorate 1:1:1 complexes (MLA) were determined at 25°C. The K_ex value was analyzed by the four underlying equilibrium constants. The K_MLA values were determined by applying our established method to this DB18C6/alkali metal perchlorate extraction system. The K_M(DB18C6)A value of the perchlorate is much greater for K⁺ than for Na⁺, and is much smaller than that of the picrate. The K_MLA value makes a negative contribution to the extractability of DB18C6 for MClO₄, whereas the value of the MLA distribution-constant does a major one. The partition behavior of M(DB18C6)ClO₄ obeys the regular solution theory. However, the M(DB18C6)ClO₄ complexes in the diluent of high dipole moment somewhat undergo the dipole–dipole interaction. DB18C6 always shows high extraction selectivity for KClO₄ over NaClO₄, which is governed largely by the much greater K_MLA value for K⁺ than for Na⁺. The K⁺ extraction-selectivity of DB18C6 over Na⁺ for perchlorate ions is comparable to that for picrate ions. By comparing this perchlorate system with the picrate one, the anion effects on the extraction-efficiency and -selectivity of DB18C6 for Na⁺ and K⁺ was discussed in terms of the fundamental equilibrium constants.     

Simple determination of some antidementia drugs in wastewater and human plasma samples by tandem dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction followed by high‐performance liquid chromatography

In this work, a simple method, namely, tandem dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction, with a high sample clean‐up is applied for the rapid determination of the antidementia drugs rivastigmine and donepezil in wastewater and human plasma samples. This method, which is based on two consecutive dispersive microextractions, is performed in 7 min. In the method, using a fast back‐extraction step, the applicability of the dispersive microextraction methods in complicated matrixes is conveniently improved. This step can be performed in less than 2 min, and very simple tools are required for this purpose. To achieve the best extraction efficiency, optimization of the variables affecting the method was carried out. Under the optimized experimental conditions, the relative standard deviations for the method were in the range of 6.9–8.7%. The calibration curves were obtained in the range of 2–1100 ng/mL with good correlation coefficients, higher than 0.995, and the limits of detection ranged between 0.5 and 1.0 ng/mL.     

Interfacial adsorption characteristics of ionic polymeric amphiphiles with comb‐like structures: Effect of dodecyl and poly(ethylene oxide) side chains

Two sets of terpolymers, polymer A and polymer B consisting of almost same level of 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl‐1‐propane sulfonic acid (AMPS) component at 0.635 ± 0.005 m and varying dodecyl methacrylate (DoDMAc) and monomethoxy poly(ethylene glycol) acrylate (PEGAc) components have been designed. Polymer A, consisting of less C₁₂ component, has been shown to promote intermolecular aggregated structures wherein C₁₂ domains exhibit compact packing characteristics. It is demonstrated that in polymer B, AMPS segments are predominantly present as ionic clusters contributing to a high pKa at about 9.50 for a low α of 0.20. From the results of interfacial adsorption estimations at air/solution and water/hexane interface, it is shown that open coil structures provided under high pH (>9.0) conditions promote efficiency of adsorption. This is shown from higher surface excess concentration (Γ) and lower interfacial area (a) estimated using Gibbs adsorption isotherm equation. For example, at water/hexane interface, polymer A exhibits Γ of 1.20 × 10^?3 moles/1000 m² at pH 3.2 and 1.97 × 10^?3 moles/1000 m² at pH 10.0. Significantly, in case of polymer B consisting of ionic clusters of AMPS, adsorption at the liquid/liquid interface is more efficient in comparison to polymer A at all pH. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. JPolym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 3257–3271, 2008