Hydrogen ion-selective poly(vinyl chloride) membrane electrode based on a p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene-oxacrown-4

A hydrogen ion-selective poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) membrane electrode was developed using p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene-oxacrown-4 as ionophore. Apart from the ionophore, plasticisers and lipophilic anions were blended, in various proportions, with PVC in tetrahydrofurane and mixtures so prepared were poured onto glass surfaces to form the membrane. 2-Nitrophenylpentylether has proved to be the best alternative as plasticiser and the lipophilic anions tried have turned out to have an adverse effect on the pH response. The electrode of the optimum characteristics had a composition of 2% p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene-oxacrown-4, 68.3% o-NPPE and 29.7% PVC. The electrode showed an apparent Nernstian response in the pH range 2-11 with a slope of 54.2±0.4 mV pH⁻¹ at 20±1 °C. It has a rapid potential-response to changes of pH, high ion selectivity towards lithium, sodium and potassium, and other characteristics comparable to those reported for the conventional pH glass membrane electrode. It appears to be a suitable potentiometric indicator electrode specifically for hydrofluoric acid solutions.     

Poly(vinyl chloride) membrane cesium ion-selective electrodes based on lipophilic calix[6]arene tetraester derivatives

New lipophilic tetraesters of calix[6]arene and calix[6]diquinone are investigated as cesium ion-selective ionophores in poly(vinyl chloride) membrane electrodes. For an ion-selective electrode based on calix[6]arene tetraester I, the linear response is 1x10(-6)-1x10(-1) M of Cs(+) concentrations. The selectivity coefficients for cesium ion over alkali, alkaline earth and ammonium ions are determined. The detection limit (log a (Cs (+))=-6.31) and the selectivity coefficient (log k (Cs (+),Rb (+))(pot )=-1.88) are obtained for polymeric membrane electrode containing calix[6]arene tetraester I.     

A chlorate ion-selective electrode based on a poly(vinyl chloride)-matrix membrane

An electrode has been prepared, consisting of a PVC membrane containing Corning 477316 nitrate liquid ion-exchanger in the chlorate form, which responds to chlorate ions. It has a faster response (1-2 sec) and lower limit of detection (3 x 10(-5)M) than the nitrate electrode for chlorate determination. Selectivity coefficients for the electrode towards several other ions have been measured.     

A coated wire-type lead(II) ion-selective electrode based on a phosphorylated calix[4]arene derivative.

The preparation of a lead-selective electrode based on 5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl-25,26,27,28-tetrakis-(diphenylphosphinoylmethoxy)calix[4]arene (1) as an ionophore is reported. The plasticized PVC membrane containing 30% PVC, 57% ortho-nitrophenyloctylether (NPOE), 4% sodium tetraphenylborate (NaTPB) and 9% ionophore 1 was directly coated on a graphite electrode. It exhibits a nearly Nernstian slope of 28.0 +/- 0.2 mV decade(-1) over a concentration range of 1 x 10(-5) - 1 x 10(-2) mol dm(-3) with a detection limit of 1.4 x 10(-6) mol dm(-3). The response time of the electrode was found to be ca. 17 s. The potential of the sensor was independent of the pH variation in the range 3.5 - 5.0. The selectivity of the electrode performance towards lead ions over Th4+, La3+, Sm3+, Dy3+, Y3+, Ca2+, Sr2+, Cd2+, Mn2+, Zn2+, Ni2+, Co2+, NH4+ Ag+, Li+, Na+ and K+ ions was investigated. The prepared electrode was used successfully as an indicator electrode for a potentiometric titration of a lead solution using a standard solution of EDTA. The applicability of the sensor for Pb2+ measurements in various synthetic water samples spiked with lead nitrate was also checked.     

Calcium-selective electrode based on a calix[4]arene tetraphosphine oxide

A new ligand capable of producing calcium-selective electrodes with excellent characteristics is presented. The ligand (1) is a calix[4]arene bearing phosphine oxide ligating groups on the lower rim and this is the first report that such ligands can discriminate in favour of calcium ions against magnesium ions and the alkali metal ions. This calcium selectivity is in complete contrast to the behaviour of the well-known calix[4]arene tetraester derivatives (such as 2) which are selective for sodium against other alkali metal ions and group II ions. Electrodes based on PVC membranes incorporating ligand 1 display almost nernstian slopes and excellent selectivity against common interferants, including magnesium (log K(Ca,Mg)(pot)). The electrodes have demonstrated effective lifetimes of at least 7 weeks (duration of the study) and very fast response times.     

Silver(I) ion-selective membrane based on Schiff base-p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene

A PVC membrane electrode for silver(I) ion based on Schiff base-p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene is reported. The electrode works well over a wide range of concentration (1.0 x 10(-5)-1.0 x 10(-1) mol dm-3) with a Nernstian slope of 59.7 mV per decade. The electrode shows a fast response time of 20 s and operates in the pH range 1.0-5.6. The sensor can be used for more than 6 months without any divergence in the potential. The selectivity of the electrode was studied and it was found that the electrode exhibits good selectivity for silver ion over some alkali, alkaline earth and transition metal ions. The silver ion-selective electrode was used as an indicator electrode for the potentiometric titration of silver ion in solution using a standard solution of sodium chloride; a sharp potential change occurs at the end-point. The applicability of the sensor to silver(I) ion measurement in water samples spiked with silver nitrate is illustrated.     

Symmetrical, unsymmetrical and bridged calix[4]arene derivatives as neutral carrier ionophores in poly (vinyl chloride) membrane sodium selective electrodes

The complexing ability of a range of 19 symmetrical, unsymmetrical and bridged calix[4]arene derivatives having ester, ketone, amide, amine and thioether functionalities were determined by the picrate extraction method. On incorporating these calix[4]arene derivatives as neutral carrier ionophores in sodium-selective poly (vinyl chloride) membrane electrodes the performance was assessed on the basis of the sensitivity and selectivity over the alkali, alkaline earth metals and hydrogen and ammonium ions. The temperature dependence, response times and lifetimes were also determined. Four ionophores in particular gave excellent sensitivity and selectivity and lifetimes of > 200 days. These electrodes were then tested without additional lipophilic additives and one ionophore was incorporated into poly (vinyl chloride) membrane electrodes with plasticizing solvents of varying polarity.     

Radiotracer studies on calcium ion-selective electrode membranes based on poly(vinyl chloride) matrices

Radiotracer studies with ⁴⁵Ca and ³⁶Cl demonstrate that PVC matrix membranes containing Orion 92-20-02 liquid calcium ion-exchanger are permselective to counter-cations. Diffusion coefficients are quoted for the migration of ⁴⁵Ca between pairs of calcium solutions and are discussed in terms of solution concentration, membrane thickness and concentration level of sensor in the membrane. Migration of calcium ions from calcium chloride solution to a Group (II) metal chloride solution through a PVC membrane containing calcium liquid ion-exchanger is discussed in terms of solvent extraction and electrode selectivity coefficient parameters. Thus, magnesium, strontium and barium ions appear to inhibit migration through the membrane by their low affinity for the membrane liquid ion-exchanger sites, while the inhibition by beryllium ions is attributed to site blockage by the strong affinity of dialkylphosphate sites for beryllium.     

Potentiometric sensors based on poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) doped with sulfonated calix[4]arene and calix[4]resorcarenes

Potentiometric ion sensors have been prepared by galvanostatic electrosynthesis of the conducting polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) doped with p-sulfonated calix[4]arene (C[4]S) and p-methylsulfonated calix[4]resorcarenes (R_n[4]S) with alkyl substituents of different chain length (R₁=CH₃; R₂=C₂H₅; R₃=C₆H₁₃). The bowl-shape of these doping ions makes them suitable as ionic recognition sites, and their bulky character is expected to prevent them from leaching out of the conducting polymer membrane. For comparison, sensors based on PEDOT doped with poly(styrene sulfonate) (PSS) and poly(vinyl sulfonate) (PVS) were also constructed. The resulting GC/PEDOT electrodes were conditioned in 0.01 mol L^–1 AgNO₃ and their performance as Ag⁺ ion-selective electrodes (ISEs) studied. Results reveal that selectivity and lifetime of the electrodes is affected by the doping anion structure, although all electrodes show selectivity towards Ag⁺ ions. Interaction of Ag⁺ with sulfur atoms present in the conducting polymer backbone is considered to be the main reason for this behavior. A second set of electrodes was constructed and conditioned in 0.1 mol L^–1 KCl. These electrodes were tested in chloride solutions of quaternary ammonium cations, showing that C[4]S and R₂[4]S exhibit significant sensitivity towards pyridinium.Dedicated to Professor György Horányi on the occasion of his 70th birthday in recognition of his outstanding contributions to electrochemistry     

Polymeric membrane sodium-selective electrodes based on calix[4]arene ionophores

Six kinds of tetra alkylester type calix[4]arene derivatives, (R₁=R₂=CH₃1, C₂H₅2, C₃H₇3,n-C₄H₉4,t-C₄H₉5,n-C₁₀H₂₁6), a diethyl-didecyl mixed ester type (R₁=C₂H₅, R₂ =C₁₀H₂₁7), and three kinds of lower rim bridged types (R₁=C₂H₅, R₂–R₂=(CH₂)₁₀8, (CH₂)₁₂9, (CH₂)₂(OCH₂CH₂)₃10) were characterized by electrochemical measurement to elucidate the effect of the length of the alkyl group of alkoxycarbonyl substituents on Na⁺ selectivity. To obtain excellent Na⁺ selective ionophores, introduction of short chain alkyl groups rather than long chain ones, such as a decyl group, and maintenance of sufficient solubility of the calix[4]arene derivatives in the membrane solvent are required concurrently. Among the calix[4]arenes tested, 25,26,27,28-tetrakis[(ethoxycarbonyl)methoxy]-p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene2, and the diethyl-didecyl mixed ester type derivative7 are the best ionophores for a Na⁺ selective electrode. On the other hand, sodium selectivity of the bridged type derivative9 is comparable or even superior to that of the known bis(12-crown-4).This paper is dedicated to the commemorative issue on the 50th anniversary of calixarenes.     

Azo calix[4]arene based neodymium(III)-selective PVC membrane sensor

We found that the PVC membrane, containing azo calix[4]arene is a suitable ionophore, exhibited a Nernstian response for neodymium (Nd³⁺) ions (with slope of 19.8 ± 0.2 mV decade⁻¹ for the triply charged ion) over a wide linear range of 4.0 × 10⁻⁸ to 1.0 × 10⁻¹ mol L⁻¹ with a detection limit 1.0 × 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹, a relatively fast response time, in the whole concentration range (<10 s), and a considerable life time at least for four months in the pH range of 4.0-8.0. Furthermore, the electrode revealed high selectivity with respect to all the common alkali, alkaline earth, transition and heavy metal ions, including the members of the lanthanide family other than Nd³⁺. Concerning its applications, it was effectively employed for the determination of neodymium ions in industrial waste water as well as in lake water.     

Potentiometric flow-injection determination of boron by using a flow-through tetrafluoroborate ion-selective poly(vinyl chloride) membrane electrode

A highly sensitive tetrafluoroborate ion-selective poly(vinyl chloride) membrane electrode was constructed and applied to a detector in the flow-injection determination of boron. Boron at the 10 ng ml^?1 level can be determined by converting it to tetrafluoroborate ion in a flow of hydrofluoric acid. A sampling rate of 30 h^?1 was achieved with a relative standard deviation of less than 2%.     

A chloride selective sensor based on a calix[4]arene possessing a urea moiety

New calix[4]arene derivative 1 of 1,3-alternate conformation with a ureido moiety has been synthesized in high yield and examined for its anion recognition abilities towards anions such as fluoride, chloride, bromide, iodide, nitrate and acetate by ¹H NMR and UV-vis spectroscopy. The results show that receptor has strong binding affinity for chloride ions. A chloride ion selective electrode (ISE) was also formed which showed excellent selectivity over all the other anions tested. The limit of detection is 2.51 × 10⁻⁵ mol dm⁻³.     

含硫杯[4]芳烃衍生物修饰电极伏安行为的研究

杯芳烃具有与环糊精类似的洞穴结构,且具有可调节大小的洞穴,有卓越的络合识别能力,杯芳烃衍生物的研究引起了国内外众多化学工作者极大的兴趣,在识别-催化、识别-配合、识别-分析等领域取得了可喜的研究成果。Stuart等研究了亚铁氰化钾及铁氰化钾在杯[4]间苯二酚修饰金电极上的电化学行为。Gomez-Kaifer用循环伏安法研究了系列母体醌式功能化杯[4]衍生物的氧化还原特性,发现该特性对Na^＋、Ag^＋有选择性识别响应。     

Highly selective thiocyanate poly(vinyl chloride) membrane electrode based on a cadmium-Schiff's base complex

A PVC membrane electrode based on a cadmium-salen (N,N'-bis-salicylidene-1,2-ethylenediamine) complex as an anion carrier is described. The electrode has an anti-Hofmeister selectivity sequence with a preference for thiocyanate at pH 1.5-11.0. It has a linear response to thiocyanate from 1.0 x 10(-6) to 1.0 x 10(-1) mol L(-1) with a slope of 59.1 +/- 0.2 mV per decade, and a detection limit of 7 x 10(-7) mol L(-1). This electrode has high selectivity for thiocyanate relative to many common organic and inorganic anions. The proposed sensor has a fast response time of approximately 15 s. It was applied to the determination of thiocyanate in a milk sample.     

Radiotracer studies on ion-selective membranes based on poly(vinyl chloride) matrices

Radiotracer studies with (45)Ca, (89)Sr and (133)Ba have provided evidence that the permeation of magnesium, strontium and barium ions through PVC membranes containing Orion 92-20-02 liquid ion-exchanger is inhibited by their low affinity for the liquid ion-exchanger sites. Experiments with (7)Be indicate a strong affinity of the membrane for beryllium ions with corresponding inhibition of permeation. When acid is present in the solution on one side of the membrane, preferential permeation by protons may lead to transport of ions against their concentration gradient in order to maintain the balance of charge.     

Applied potential and radiotracer studies on poly(vinyl chloride) matrix ion-selective electrode membranes

This paper reports the effect of applied potentials on PVC matrix membranes containing (i) the barium ion-sensitive barium-Antarox C0880 complex and 2-nitrophenyl phenyl ether solvent mediator, and (ii) the calcium ion-sensitive Orion 92-20-02 phosphate-based calcium liquid ion-exchanger. Platinum electrodes were placed in solutions on each side of the membranes. The barium ion-sensitive membranes are unable to maintain stable current flows but the calcium ion-sensitive membranes are characterized by stable current flows over prolonged periods even after successive polarity reversals. Results are presented, from radiotracer experiments for permeation of ions through the membranes with and without an applied potential. No evidence was found for significant permeation of barium-133 ions through the barium ion-sensing membranes into an initially inactive solution, but it was found that barium-133 ions were incorporated into the membranes after removal of the applied potential. Permeation of sodium-22 ions through the calcium ion-sensing membranes occurred only to a limited extent in the presence of an applied potential and not at all in its absence, confirming electrode selectivity trends for calcium and sodium. Calcium-45 ions did not permeate the calcium ion-sensing membranes into an inactive counter-solution against the potential gradient, but on reversal of the polarity, permeation occurred to a far greater extent than in the absence of an applied potential. These differences in behaviour are compatible with the more complicated membrane pathways of the barium ion-sensing membranes, imposed by the complexing of barium ions by the ethyleneoxy units of Antarox C0880 in a tight helical conformation. The calcium ion-sensing membranes are much less constrained, thus permitting more facile replacement of the calcium ions in the membrane by ions from solution.     

Liquid crystals based on calix[4]arene Schiff bases

New liquid crystals based on calix[4]arene Schiff base were prepared by the reaction of tetraamino-calix[4]arene with aldehydes (4-hydroxy benzaldehyde, 2-vanillin, 4-vanillin and 2-hydroxy naphthaldehyde). Dielectric investigations on a magnetically oriented sample forming N, SmA, and SmC phases were carried out. The dielectric constant (ε’ and ε”) and dielectric loss (tan δ) have been determined as a function of frequency (20 Hz–2 MHz). The synthesized derivatives were purified and characterized by FT-IR, ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR and MALDI-TOF MS. All the synthesized compounds were investigated for liquid crystalline properties using DSC (Differential Scanning Calorimetry), DTA (Differential Thermal Analysis) and POM (Polarizing Optical Microscopy) attached with a hot stage. They generally exhibited nematic and typical fanlike or mosaic texture, which suggest the ordered smectic mesophases. Compounds were found to adopt a specific molecular structure due to the rigid bowl like calix[4]arene core, i.e., a cone-like structure with mesogenic units aligned within the molecule.     

Mercury(II) ion-selective electrodes based on p-tert-butyl calix[4]crowns with imine units.

A PVC membrane incorporating p-tert-butyl calix[4]crown with imine units as an ionophore was prepared and used in an ion-selective electrode for the determination of mercury(II) ions. An electrode based on this ionophore showed a good potentiometric response for mercury(II) ions over a wide concentration range of 5.0 x 10(-5) - 1.0 x 10(-1) M with a near-Nernstian slope of 27.3 mV per decade. The detection limit of the electrode was 2.24 x 10(-5) M and the electrode worked well in the pH range of 1.3 - 4.0. The electrode showed a short response time of less than 20 s. The electrode also showed better selectivity for mercury(II) ions over many of the alkali (Na+, -1.69; K+, -1.54), alkaline-earth (Ca2+, -3.30; Ba2+, -3.32), and heavy metal ions (Co2+, -3.67; Ni2+, -3.43; Pb2+, -3.31; Fe3+, -1.82). Ag+ ion was found to be the strongest interfering ion. Also, sharp end points were obtained when the sensor was used as an indicator electrode for the potentiometric titration of mercury(II) ions with iodide and dichromate ions.