Tweezer ligands derived from the condensation of 2-hydroxy-5-methyl be
nzene-1,3-dicarbaldehyde (1) or 2,9-diformyl-1,10-phenanthroline (2) w
ith o-amino benzoic acid were used for the transport of metal ions acr
oss liquid membranes. Ligand 1 showed high selectivity for Cu2+ ion an
d transport was completed over a period of 24 h at a pH value of 1.00.
Ligand 2 exhibited selective transport of Pb2+ ion which was complete
d over a period of 96 h at a pH value of 4.5.