Phosphate‐Binding Characteristics and Selectivity Studies of Bifunctional Organotin Carriers

The selective recognition of the orthophosphate anion by a series of bifunctional Lewis acidic organotin compounds is investigated. The binding affinity of these carriers to anions, as measured by NMR titrations in CH₂Cl₂ obeyed the potentiometric selectivity order phosphate > sulfate > perchlorate, and provided the corresponding complex‐formation constants. More accurate calculations of these values were obtained by the segmented‐sandwich‐membrane method performed directly inside the liquid polymeric membrane. These carriers were also studied potentiometrically in polymeric liquid membranes. The results indicate that (PhBr₂Sn)₂CH₂ is 2 to 5 orders of magnitude more selective towards phosphate over other oxoanions. These results set the ground for the development of a new series of highly selective anions carriers with a wide range of possible applications.