Tripodal compound 1,1,1-tris(N-ethyl-N-phenylamino-carboxylmethoxymethyl) propane as an ionophore for alkali and alkaline earth metal cations-selective electrode

A new tripodal compound, 1,1,1-tris(N-ethyl-N-phenylamino-carboxylmethoxymethyl) propane, has been synthesized and evaluated as an ionophore in PVC membrane electrode for the analysis of alkali and alkaline earth metal cations. The influence of the nature of the plasticizers (o-NPOE, DBP and DOP) and of the amount of incorporated ionophore on the characteristics of the electrode was discussed. Selectivity coefficients against alkali and alkaline earth metal cations were calculated. The electrodes based on the tripodal compound with o-NPOE and DBP as plasticizer gave good performance (slope, limits of detection) to lithium and sodium ions. The electrode plasticized with o-NPOE also exhibited near-Nernstian response to divalent ions: Ca(2+), Sr(2+) and Ba(2+). The electrode prepared with 3.9 mg ionophore, 185 mg o-NPOE, 92 mg PVC and 0.46 mg KTpClPB can be used as a Ca(2+) electrode. The influence of pH has also been studied. The electrodes exhibited better potential stability and operational lifetime of more than 3 months.