Study on solvent extraction using salen(NEt2)2 as a chelating agent for determination of trace Cu(II), Mn(II), and Zn(II) in water samples

Abstract

Solvent extraction using a Schiff-base, salen(NEt2)2, as a chelating agent has been conducted on several water samples to study the determination of trace Cu(II), Mn(II) and Zn(II). Experimental conditions for the formation and extraction of metal complexes were optimized with an aqueous solution similar in composition to the samples. The matrix difference between the sample and standard solutions was approximately matched, and the pH of each sample solution was adjusted to 9.5 with NaHCO3/NaOH buffer. The concentration of salen(NEt2)2 was 7.3 × 10 -3 mol/L, and the complexes were extracted into MIBK solvent followed by the measurement of AAS absorbance. The potential interference of concomitant ions was investigated, but no interference from alkaline and alkali earth ions was shown in this procedure. The given procedure is precise, as judged from the relative standard deviation of less than 5% for five measured data. The recovery of 93-103% shows that this method is quantitative for such trace metal analysis.