The synthesis of (N2O2S2)-Schiff base ligands and investigation of their ion extraction capability from aqueous media

Two new Schiff bases (I) and (II) containing nitrogen-sulfur-oxygen donor atoms were designed and synthesized in a multi-step reaction sequence. The Schiff base (I) was used in solvent extraction of metal chlorides such as Cu2+ and Cr3+ as well as metal picrates such as Hg2+ and UO22+ from aqueous phase to the organic phase. The influences of the parameter functions, such as pH, solvent, ionic strength of aqueous phase, aqueous to organic phase and concentration of the extractant were investigated to shed light on their chemical extracting properties upon the extractability of metal ions. The effect of chloroform. dichloromethane and nitrobenzene as organic solvents over the metal chlorides extraction was investigated at 25 +/- 0.1 degrees C by using flame atomic absorption and the result is that the ability of extraction in solvents as follows: C6H5NO2 > CHCl3 > CH2Cl2 and the compositions of the extracted species have been determined. The metal picrate extraction was investigated at 25 +/- 0.1 degrees C by using UV-visible spectrometry. As well that the extraction of picrates metal such as UO22+ and Hg2+ with Schiff base(I) in absence and presence of 2-(2-aminoethyl) pyridine was investigated in chloroform. The extraction results revealed the presence of neutral donors 2-(2-aminoethyl) pyridine shifts the extraction percentage curves towards higher pH region, indicating a synergistic effect of this donors on extraction of UO22+ and Hg2+ by the studied Schiff base (I). (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.