Determination of the ammonium ion by voltammetry at the liquid-liquid interface using calixarenes as neutral carriers

The transfer of alkali and alkaline earth metal ions and ammonium ions facilitated by the calixarenes 5,11,17,23-tetra(tert-butyl)-26,28-dihydroxycalix4]-25,27-crown-5-ether, 5,11,17,23-tetra(tert-butyl)-26,28-di(ethoxycarbonylmethoxy)calix4]-25,27-crown-5-ether, and 5,11,17,23-tetra(tert-butyl)-25,26,27,28-tetra(ethoxycarbonylmethoxy)-calix4]arene was studied by voltammetry at the interface between two immiscible electrolyte solutions. The formal energies, transfer potentials, stoichiometry, and stability constants of the complexes were determined. The optimum conditions for determining the ammonium ion by voltammetry at the liquid-liquid interface were selected on the basis of these studies (the detection limit was 3.5 × 10^?6 M). The ammonium ion determination showed selectivity relative to the sodium ion.