Zeitschrift für chemische Wissenschaften

Separation via Flotation and Spectrometric Determination of Copper(II) in Environmental Samples using a Newly Synthesized Girard T Derivative

Abstract

Magda A Akl, Mostafa MM and Elbadrawy Z

A simple, highly sensitive and selective spectrophotometric procedure was developed for the determination of copper(II) ions. The procedure is based on the reaction at pH 4-7 between the newly synthesized Girard T derivative N-{[(phenylamino)thioxo methyl] hydrazino carbonyl methyl}trimethyl ammonium chloride (PTHAC) and Cu(II) to form an intense green Cu(II):PTHAC (1:1) complex that floats quantitatively with oleic acid (HOL) surfactant. The different analytical factors affecting the flotation and determination processes were examined viz. pH, temperature, concentration of metal, ligand and HOL, etc. The Cu-PTHAC complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, infrared, mass and electronic spectral studies. The formed Cu(II)-PTHAC complex shows a constant and maximum absorbance at 650 nm in the aqueous and scum layers. Beers’ law is obeyed over the concentration rang 0.1-6 mg l-1 with a detection limit of 0.03 mg l-1 and molar absorptivities (at λmax 650 nm) of 0.27×104 and 0.20×105 l mol-1cm-1 in aqueous and surfactant layers, respectively. Sandell’s sensitivity is calculated to be 3.2×10-3 μg cm2 and the relative standard deviation (n=5) is <3.72%. The suggested procedure has been successfully applied to the analysis of copper in different natural waters and ore samples. Moreover, the flotation mechanism is recommended based on some physical and chemical studies of the solid complex isolated from the aqueous and scum layers.