Facilitated transport of alkali metal ions across bulk liquid membrane containing phenoxy compounds as carrier

The carrier activity of several phenoxy ethers toward the facilitated trans port of alkali metal ions through a chloroform bulk liquid membrane has bee n studied. A brief description of the synthesis of carrier compounds has be en given, and the mechanism of transport process has been discussed. The or ganic carriers are protonated on the receiving side of a permeation cell, a nd the protons are exchanged with the metal ions at the membrane interphase of the feed side. Protonation of carriers has been confirmed from electron ic spectral studies. A high degree of selectivity for Na+ transport has bee n observed when 1,2-bis-(2-acetyl phenoxy) ethane is used as carrier wherea s dibenzo-[a,e]-3,4-dihydroxy-3,4-dimethyl-7,10-dioxocyclodeca-1,5-dione fa cilitated selective transport of K+.