CRYPTAND(2.2.1) - A MACROBICYCLIC POLYETHER FOR THE EXTRACTIVE SEPARATION OF CADMIUM

Abstract

A selective method is developed for the solvent extraction separation of cadmium at pH 6.5 with 2.5 x 10(-4) mol l-1 cryptand(2.2.1) in nitrobenzene with 2.5 x 10(-4) mol l-1 Rose Bengal as the counter-ion. From the organic phase cadmium was stripped with 0.1 mol l-1 of sulphuric acid and determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy at 228.9 nm. The method enables to separate cadmium from several elements associated with it in aquatic environment such as copper, cobalt, nickel, chromium, iron, lead, mercury and manganese. The method was extended for the determination of cadmium in aerosol, industrial effluents and marine sediments.