The paper describes solvent polymeric membrane anion selective electrodes b
ased on tribenzyltin phenolates as neutral carriers. The electrode based on
tribenzyltin p-nitrophenolate possesses excellent potentiometric response
characteristics and selectivity towards thiocyanate, the linear range is (0
. 1 similar to 2 46) X 10(-5) mol/L with a slope of -56. 8. The electrode d
emonstrates anti-Hofmeister behavior, and the selectivity sequence observed
is: thiocyanate > benzoate > perchlorate > iodide > nitrite > nitrate > ac
etate > bromide > chloride. The potentiometric response characteristics and
selectivity have a close relationship with the structure of the carriers,
as the substitute in phenol ring changes from nitro- to hydrogen, then to t
-butyl, the potentiometric response characteristics and selectivity to thio
cyanate deteriorate to some extent. The electrode based on tribenzyltin p-n
itrophenolate has a fast response time, fair stability and reproducibility
and could be used for the detection of thiocyanate in actual samples with s
atisfactory results.