TRANSPORT OF CU(II) WITH HYDROXAMIC ACID THROUGH A LIQUID MEMBRANE

N-Hydroxy-N-naphthylbenzamides (3) were synthesized for examining thei r ability to extract and transport Cu(II) through a liquid membrane. T he transport was proton-driven and was capable of moving metal ions 'u p-hill'. Thus, it was possible to follow the transfer of Cu(II) from t he aqueous source phase to the organic layer and from the organic laye r to the receiving phase. The N-hydroxy-N-(2-naphthyl)benzamide (3b) c arrier displayed much more remarkable selectivity for Cu(II) compared with N-hydroxy-N-(l-naphthyl)benzamide (3a). This difference in select ivity was explained in terms of the stability of the Cu(II) complex in chloroform. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.