RING-SIZE AND SUBSTTTUENT EFFECTS IN THE SOLVENT EXTRACTION OF ALKALI METAL NITRATES BY CROWN ETHERS IN 1,2-DICHLOROETHANE AND 1 -OCTANOL

ABSTRACT

The extraction of alkali metal nitrate salts by solutions of crown ethers in each of the two diluents 1,2-dichlorethane and 1-octanol has been surveyed. The crown ethers include 18-crown-6, 21-crown-7, and 24-crown-8 ethers bearing cyclohexano, benzo, t-alkylbenzo, and/or furano substitutents. The extraction efficiencies of the different crown ethers are examined in terms of ring-size, substituent, and solvent effects. Partition ratios for the crown ethers between water and either 1,2-dichloroethane or 1-octanol are discussed. The extraction selectivities, expressed as the separation factor for cesium over sodium, are examined in relation to crown ether structure.