A Coated Graphite Thorium‐Ion Selective Potentiometric Sensor Based on a Calix[4]arene Bearing Phosphoryl Groups

5,11,17,23‐Tetra‐tert‐butyl‐25,26,27,28‐tetrakis(diphenylphosphinoylmethoxy)calix[4]arene ( 1 )has been used for the preparation of a graphite coated thorium ion‐selective electrode (Th⁴⁺‐ISE). The plasticized PVC membrane containing 30% PVC, 58% ortho‐nitrophenyloctylether (NPOE), 4% sodium tetraphenylborate (NaTPB) and 8% ionophore was directly coated on a graphite rod. This sensor gave good Nernstian responses with a slope of 15.5 ± 0.1 mV/decade over a concentration range of 1 × 10^?5 ?1 × 10^?3 M of thorium ions with a limit of detection of 7.9 × 10^?6 M. The dynamic response time of the electrode to achieve a steady potential was found to be about 15 seconds. The potential of the prepared sensor was independent of the pH variation in the range 2.3–4.0. The selectivity relative to several mono‐, di‐ and tri‐valent metal ions, i.e. Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Ag⁺, NH₄⁺, Sr²⁺, Mn²⁺, Fe²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, La³⁺, Sm³⁺, Dy³⁺, Er³⁺ and Y³⁺ was examined. This electrode can be used for 6 months without any considerable divergences in the potential response. The sensor was successfully used as an indicator electrode for the potentiometric titration of a thorium solution using a standard solution of EDTA.