Study of a bis-furaldehyde Schiff base copper(II) complex as carrier for preparation of highly selective thiocyanate electrodes

A new highly selective thiocyanate electrode based on N,N-bis-(furaldehyde)-1,2-phenylenediamine-dipicolyl copper(II) complex Cu(II)-BFPD] as neutral carrier is described. The electrode has an anti-Hofmeister selectivity sequence: SCN^–>I^–>Sal^–>ClO₄ ^–>Br^–>NO₂ ^–>Cl^–>NO₃ ^–>SO₄ ^2–>SO₃ ^2–>H₂PO₄ ^– and a near-Nernstian potential linear range for thiocyanate from 1.0×10^–1 to 5.0×10^–6 mol L^–1 with a detection limit 2.0×10^–6 mol L^–1 and a slope of 57.5 mV decade^–1 in pH 5.0 of phosphate buffer solution at 20 °C. The response mechanism is discussed on the basis of results from A.C. impedance measurement and UV spectroscopy. The anti-Hofmeister behavior of the electrode results from a direct interaction between the central metal and the analyte ion and a steric effect associated with the structure of the carrier. The electrode has the advantages of simplicity, fast response, fair stability and reproducibility, and low detection limit. The selectivity of electrodes based on Cu(II)-BFPD] exceeds that of classical anion-sensitive membrane electrodes based on ion exchangers such as lipophilic quaternary ammonium or phosphonium salts. Application of the electrode for determination of thiocyanate in waste water samples from a laboratory and a gas factory, and in human urine samples, is reported. The results obtained were fair agreement with the results obtained by HPLC.