Synthesis, characterization and structure effects on extractability and selectivity of N,N'-bis(salicylaldehydene)-1,4-bis-(m-aminophenoxy)butane towards some divalent cations

The extraction of copper(II), nickel(II) and cobalt(II) from the aqueous phase with N,N'-bis(salicylaldehydene)-1,4-bis-(m-aminophenoxy)butane (MAS), which was synthesized from 1,4-bis(m-aminophenoxy)butane and salicylaldehyde, was studied. Microanalytical data, elemental analysis, UV-visible 1H and 13C n.m.r. spectra and IR-spectra were used to confirm the structures. The extractability and selectivity of divalent cations were evaluated as a function of relationship between distribution ratio of the metal and pH or ligand concentration. Cu+2 showed the highest extractability and selectivity at pH 6.0, whereas Ni+2 and Co+2 showed at pH 9.2. The stoichiometries of the compounds formed were estimated to be CuL, CoL, NiL, where L is N,N'-bis(salicylaldehydene)-1,4-bis-(m-aminophenoxy)butane. It was concluded that MAS can effectively be used in solvent extraction of copper(II), nickel(II) and cobalt(II) from the aqeous phase to the organic phase.