Design and Synthesis of Redox-Switched Lariat Ethers and Their Application for Transport of Alkali and Alkaline-Earth Metal Cations Across Supported Liquid Membrane

A new class of redox-switched anthraquinone derived lariat ethers 1-(1-anthraquinonyloxy) 3, 6, 9 trioxaundecane 11-ol (M(1)), 1-(1-anthraquinonyloxy) 3, 6 dioxaoctane 9-ol (M(2)), 1-(1-anthraquinonyloxy) 3 oxapentane 5-ol (M(3)), 1-(1-anthraquinonyloxy) 3 oxapentane 5-butane (M(4)), 1-(1-anthraquinonyloxy) 3, 6 dioxaoctane 9-methane (M(5)) and 1-(1-anthraquinonyloxy) 3 oxapentane 5-methane (M(6)) have been synthesized and characterized by spectral analysis. These ionophores were used in liquid membrane carrier facilitated transport of main group metal cations across supported liquid membrane (SLM). Cellulose nitrate membrane was used as membrane support. Effect of various parameters such as variation in concentration of metal as well as ionophore, effect of chain length and end group of ionophore have been studied. The sequence of metal ions transported by ionophore M(1) is Na(+) > Li(+) > K(+) > Ca(2+) > Mg(2+) and the order of metal ions transported by ionophores (M(2)–M(6)) is Li(+) > Na(+) > K(+) > Ca(2+) > Mg(2+). Ionophore M(1) is selective for Na(+), Li(+), and K(+) and ionophores (M(2)–M(6)) are selective for Li(+) and Na(+).