Uptake of benzene and alkylbenzenes by cation- and anion-exchange resins from aqueous solutions.

Uptakes of benzene and 12 alkylbenzenes (from toluene to n-pentylbenzene including xylene and trimethylbenzene isomers) by both strong acid cation (Dowex 50W-X4 and X8) and strong base anion (Dowex 1-X4 and X8) exchange resins have been studied in aqueous solutions at 25 degrees C; their distribution constants (K) have been determined. The relationship between the octanol-water partition coefficient (K(ow)) and the resin affinity for solutes has been analyzed. The K values of benzene and alkylbenzenes were larger than the K values of aliphatic hydrocarbons expected from the K(ow) values. While the K value was increased with the alkyl chain length, no further increase in the K value was observed for n-butylbenzene and n-pentylbenzene.