Studies on tetrachlorodithizone isomers and their applications to the extraction of metal ions

Six isomeric tetrachlorodithizones were synthesized and their electronic and i.r. spectra were measured. Their acid dissociation constants and partition coefficients between 0.5 M NaClO₄ solution and carbon tetrachloride are reported. Their extraction equilibria with Cd(II). Co(II), Cu(II), Hg(II), Ni(II), Pb(II), Tl(I), Zn(II) and Bi(III) and the spectrophotometric characteristics of the complexes formed are described. The 3,3',4,4'-tetrachloro isomer is spectrophotometrically more sensitive than dithizone for Zn, Pb, Hg(II) and Bi(III) whereas the 2,2',3,3'- and 2,2',5,5'-isomers are more sensitive for copper ions. For most of the metals tested, the tetrachlorodithizones allowed quantitative extraction at lower pH than is possible with dithizone.