Solvent extraction of N-Cyclohexyl-N-Nitrosohydroxylamine (cnha) into some organic solvents and of the Cu(II)-cnha complex into methyl isobutyl ketone

The distribution equilibria of N-cyclohexyl-N-nitrosohydroxylamine (cnha) in the water-chloroform, water-hexane, water-methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) and water-isopentyl alcohol systems, and of the Cu(II)-cnha complex in the water-MIBK system have been studied. From the distribution data the dissociation and distribution constants of the reagent have been calculated; their values are pK(a) = 5.55 +/- 0.10; log K(DR) = 2.46 +/- 0.05 (chloroform), 1.76 +/- 0.11 (MIBK), 1.06 +/- 0.07 (hexane) and 1.48 +/- 0.06 (isopentyl alcohol). In the same way the values of the distribution and stability constants of the Cu(II) complex have been obtained; log K(DC) = 3.51; log beta(1) = 7.23 +/- 0.10 and log beta(2) = 12.00 +/- 0.08. For the determination of cnha in the aqueous phase saturated with MIBK, a spectrophotometric method based on the coloured complex formed by the reagent with Fe(III) has been established. Finally, an analytical method for Cu(II) by atomic-absorption spectrometry after its extraction with cnha into MIBK, is proposed. Its detection limit is 4.6 mug l ., its precision +/- 2.1% and its accuracy 97.5%. This method has been applied to the determination of the copper content in the surface water of the Congest River of Catalonia (Spain).