Transactions on Engineering and Sciences

Vol.3, Issue 6, October-December 2015

ISSN: 2347-1964 (Online) 2347-1875 (Print)

Solvent Extraction Method for the separation of

Zinc(II) By use 2- [4-bromo-2,6-diethyl phenylazo] 4,5-diphenylimidazole(BDPI)
Sahar Akeel Hussein1
1,2&3Department

R.K.Al-Kubaisy2

Taghreed H. Al-Noor3

of Chemistry, College of Education for Pure Science, Ibn Al-Haitham Baghdad University,
Iraq.

Abstract: Extraction experiments for Zn(II) ions from aqueous phase by new laboratory prepared Azo
derivation as complex agent 2- [4-bromo-2,6-diethyl phenylazo] -4,5-diphenylimidazole(BDPI)shows the
optimum conditions for this extraction method was (pH= 8) (10 minutes) shaking time and 50g
concentration of Zn(II)ions in aqueous phase. Organic solvents effect study shows there is not any linear
relation between distribution ratio (D) for extraction of Zn+2 ions and dielectric constant ()for organic
solvents used but there is in effect for organic solvent structure on the extraction of Zn+2 ions and
distribution ratio (D) values. Stoichiometric studies demonstrated the more probable structure ion pair
complex extracted for Zn+2 was 1:1.
Keywords: Zn(), Solvent extraction, 2- [4-bromo-2,6-diethyl phenylazo]-4, 5-diphenylimidazole(BDPI)
I.

INTRODUCTION

Previously used the azo compounds and its derivatives for the extraction methods and used to
spectrophotometric determination of transition elements, Determination of Zn(II) 2-[2-pyridil azo]-4-benzen
naphthol and 2-[(4-Hydroxy phenyl azo]-4,5-diphenyl imidazol were synthesized and used for the
extraction of Zn(II) and Cd(II) from aqueous solutions. Study effective factors on the extraction method such
as pH, metal concentration, shaking time organic solvents. Stoichiometry shows the complex extracted was
[M+2(PABN-(Cl-)] and [M+2(HPADPI)]2Cl- when (M2+=Zn2+,Cd2+)[121] [1].The extraction of Zn(II) and Cd(II)
with mixtures of neutral organophosphorus extractants (aliphatic trialkyl phosphine oxide, Cyanex 923, or
branched cyclic trialkyl phosphine oxide, Cyanex 925) and amine extractants (N,N-di(1-methylheptyl)
acetamide, N503, or trialkyl amine, N235)Synergistic effects were observed for Zn(II) with Cyanex 923+N503
and for Cd(II) with Cyanex 923+N235 and Cyanex 925+N235. However, the other mixing systems do not
have synergistic effects on Zn(II) and Cd(II). The stiochiometry of extracted species studied with slope
analysis and constant moles in the three synergistic systems[2].] Extraction of micro amount Coper (II) and
Nickel(II)by organic reagent2-[(3-Acyl methyl phenyl)azo]-4,5-di phenyl imidazole(3-AMePADPI) and
spectophotometric determination of Copper (II) and Nickel(II) used for in different samples, studies
conditions for complex formation was pH= 8 and 11 , shaking time 15 minutes for Cu+2 and Ni+2
respectively[3].
II. EXPERIMENTAL
A. Apparatus:
All spectrophotometric measurements and absorbance were registered by using a biochrom double
beam UV-Vis Spectrophotometer model (biochrom libra S60) (A Harvard Bio science company ,Cambridge
UK), IR-Spectra for the complexes were recorded by using FTIR S 8400 (England).The determination of
melting point 5063 Stuart Melting Point Apparatus (England),as well analytical unit 1108 C.H.N Element
analyzer.
B. Reagents - Materials and Solutions:
All chemical materials received from commercial sources with high purity and used as received [4] The
stock solution of Zn(II)ions (1 mg/ml) prepared by dissolved 1 gm of Zn metal in (15 ml) of dilute
hydrochloric acid (1 : 1) and then diluted this solution to 1 liter by distilled water in volumetric flask. A
working standard solutions prepared by dilution with distilled water, needful prepared buffer solution (pH
= 5) for determination of Zn(II)by dissolved (50 gm) of unhydrous sodium acetate and (30 gm) of glacial
acetic acid in 250 ml volumetric flask, as well as necessarily prepared sodium thiosulphate solution (10%)
also for Zn(II)determination. Dithizone standard solution (1 10-2 M) prepared by dissolved (0.05232 gm) in
(10 ml) CCl4, and working solution (110-4 M) prepared by dilution with CCl4 solvent. For extraction
experiments prepared stock solution of organic reagent 110-2M (BDPI)in Chloroform prepared by
dissolving 0.459 from (BDPI)in 100ml of CHCl3.
III. SYNTHESIS OF ORGANIC REAGENT
The organic reagents was synthesized according to the procedure published elsewhere[5] by dissolving
(2.28 g 0.01 mole) of 4-bromo-2, 6-diethyl aniline..In a solution of 4 mL concentration HCl and 25 mL

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Transactions on Engineering and Sciences

Vol.3, Issue 6, October-December 2015

ISSN: 2347-1964 (Online) 2347-1875 (Print)

distilled water. After cooling this solution 0 C, added1.4 g of sodium nitrite dissolved in 10 mL distilled
water with maintaining the temperature at 0 C. The mixture was set aside for 15 min in order to complete
diazotization reaction. afterward, the diazonium solution was added drop by drop to solution contain (2.2 g ,
0.01 mole) of 4,5-diphenyl imidazole and 1.2 g sodium hydroxide dissolved in 150 mL ethanol with keeping
temperature at 0 C. After complete addition , the left contains for two hours , then added 150 mL of cooled
distilled water was added, the pH of the solution maintained at 6 by HCl , a brown moleacules was
precipitated and left for 24 h. The solid product was filtered off, and washed with cold water, crystallized
twice from hot absolute ethanol and dried over CaCl2 to give yield of 76%, Mp (153-154 C) and chemical
formula of (C25H23N4Br)with Mw. ( 459.38 g mol-1) .The azo reagent synthesized in this work were identified
by UVVis., FTIR, and. The UV-Vis. spectrum and IR spectrum figure 1 and figure 2.

Figure 1: UV-Vis. spectrum of organic reagent 2- [4-bromo-2,6-diethyl phenylazo] -4,5diphenylimidazole(BDPI)

Figure 2: IR-spectrum of organic reagent (BDPI)

Table 1: Demonstrate the structure of azo ligand prepared
a. UV-Visible spectral peaks (nm)
peaks(nm)

Assignments

239
280
438

-* Benzene ring.
-* Aromatic ring.
n-*(-N=N-) .

b. IR spectral bands (cm-1)

Bands (cm-1)
Assignments
3414.12
3339.03
1616.4,1392.65
1494
1556.16
3045.7

N-H stretching
aromatiocCH stretching
C=Nstretching and bending
for N=NC=C
CH aliphatic

Figure 3: Calibration curve for Zn(II)ion in aqueous solutions Dithiazon spectrophotometric method.
IV. COMPREHENSIVE METHOD FOR EXTRACTION
For extraction experiments have to take (5 ml) of aqueous phase contain exact quantity of Zn(II)ions at
optimum pH, and then adding (5 ml) of organic phase contain exact concentration of ligand in organic
solvent, afterward shaken the two phases at optimum time, after complete the shaken time separate the two
layers and determine the Zn(II)ions remainder in aqueous phase by spectrophotometric method [4], for (5
ml) aqueous phase add (2 ml) of buffer solution and (2 ml) of thiosulphate solution and shaken with five
portions of (110-4 M) dithizone solution, every portion equal to (1 ml), until the last portion do not change
their green color. Afterward collect the portions in (5 ml) volumetric flask and then shaken with 5 ml of
dilute ammonia solution to separated unreacted dithizone, after that determine the absorption of solution at
max = 538 nm by use CCl4 as blank, from absorbance and calibration curve Figure (3) can be determine the
quantity of Zn(II)reminder in aqueous phase. But for determination the quantity of Zn(II)ions in organic
phase as a complex with the ligand (4-CMePADI), by stripping method which is include shaken the organic
phase three times with nearly concentrated hydrochloric acid HCl for dissociation the Zn complex and

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Transactions on Engineering and Sciences

Vol.3, Issue 6, October-December 2015

ISSN: 2347-1964 (Online) 2347-1875 (Print)

transfer the Zn(II)ions to the aqueous phase and then determine the quantity of Zn(II)ions by
spectrophotonetric method, previous method, afterward divide the quantity of Zn(II)ions in organic phase
on the quantity of Zn(II)ions in aqueous phase to determined distribution ratio (D).
V. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
A. Absorption UVVis spectrum:
Absorption UVVis spectrum in Figure 4 shows maximum absorption for ion pair complex extracted at
max= 548nm

Figure 4:absorption UVVis spectrum for ion pair complex

B. Effect of acidic function:
Extracted 50g Zn(II) in 5mL aqueous phase with 5ml of (110-4M) organic reagent solution (BDPI)
dissolved in chloroform at different pH of aqueous phase (6-12) and shaking the two phases for (10 minutes)
after that separate the two phases and determination of distribution ratio (D)as in the general method, as
well as determine absorbance of organic phase against organic reagent as blank. The result as in figures (5,
6)

Figure (5): Effect of pH on complex formation as

extraction

Figure(6):D=f(pH)

The results shows optimum pH for extraction was pH=8 at the pH obtained higher Absorbance and Dvalue that is measure reached higher extraction .Efficiency at this pH and at pH less than pH=8 lour suitable
to reach favorable thermodynamic equilibrium for extraction and by decrease pH value increase hydration
shell of Zn(II)as well as increase protonated of complex agent and decrease complexation ,but at pH value
more than optimum value also lead to decrease extraction efficiency.
C. Effect of Metal ion concentration:
Extraction of different concentrations of Zn(II)ions(1-70) g in(5ml) aqueous solution at(pH=8) by(5ml)
of (1x10-4 M of (BDPI)) dissolved in chloroform , shaking the two layers for suitable time, and separate the
two layers and determine the remainder quantity of Zn(II)ion in aqueous phase by followed
spectrophotometric method [5], and calculation distribution ratio (D) as well as determine absorbance of
organic phase at max=548nm against organic reagent as blank. The result was as in figures (7,8)

Figure (7): Effect of Zn(II)concentration on

activity of extraction and D value

Figure (8): Effect of Zn(II) concentration on

thermodynamic equilibrium for complex
formation and extraction
According to thermodynamic equilibrium for complexation reaction.
Zn2+aq+(BDPI)org +2Cl-aq [Zn(BDPI) ] +2;2Cl- org
The results show 50g Zn2+/5mL was the optimum concentration giving higher efficiency of extraction
because effect to increase rate of forward direction of thermodynamic equilibrium that is mean increase
formation and extraction of ion pair complex concentration of Zn(II)less than optimum value not enough to

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Transactions on Engineering and Sciences

Vol.3, Issue 6, October-December 2015

ISSN: 2347-1964 (Online) 2347-1875 (Print)

reach favorable thermodynamic equilibrium that is mean decrease in ion association complex formation and
extraction so that Absorbance and D-value from other hand any concentration of Zn(II)more than optimum
value effect to decline extraction efficiency and decrease absorbance and D-value became effect to increase
rate of back ward direction of thermodynamic equilibrium according to the chatelier principle and mass
action law.
D. Effect of shaking time:
For the kinetic side of the extraction methods are carried out by studying the effect of shaking time on
the extraction activity and distribution ratio values. After extracted 50g Zn(II)ions in 5ml aqueous phase at
(pH=8) by 5ml of (110-4 M) organic reagent (BDPI) dissolved in chloroform by different shaking time, the
results of this study in figure (9,10) demonstrate the optimum shaking time of two layers was (10min.) to
reach the equilibria of extraction and at this time obtain the maximum distribution ratio value (D), and
Absorbance at 548nm shaking time but less than optimum no allow to reached the equilibria of extraction,
so that shaking time more than optimum favorite the dissociation equilibria and minimize the distribution
ratio(D)and absorbance.

Figure (9):D=f(shaking times)

Figure (10): shaking time effect on complex

formation and extraction

E. Effect of organic solvent:

According to solvent extraction method which is depends on the organic solvent used in extraction
method. Extracted 50g Zn(II)ions from 5mL aqueous phase by 5mL (110-4 M) organic reagent (BDPI)
dissolved in different organic solvent differ in dielectric constant after shaking the two phase for 10mintes
,so separate organic phase from aqueous phase determine D-value according to the procedure detailled in
the general method the results was as in the table (2) .the results show there not any linear relation between
Distribution ratio and Dielectric constant of organic solution ,that is mine there is not effect for polarity of
organic solvent on extraction activity but there in effect for organic solvent structure this result reflect
participation organic solution in complex formation .Thermodynamic parameter for extraction in different
organic solution include transition free energy Gt and association constant kA as well as extraction
constant kex and free energy of extraction Gex by application relation s below

The results in Table (2) showed free energy of transition Gt for Zn(II)ions from aqueous phase to
organic phase increase with dielectric constant of organic solvents decrease but kex and Gex showed the
high value by using Chloroform organic solvent which demonstrate sharing organic solution and increase
the stability of ion pair complex extracted and increase the approach between the cation and anion
association complex extraction which is contract ion pair or loose ion pair.
Table 2: Organic solvent effect on the extraction of Zn(II)ions and GT , KA , KEX , GEX
Organic Solvents

Abs. at
max=548

%E

-Gt

KAx104

Kexx108

-Gex

Nitro benzene
Amyl alcohol
1,2-Dichloro ethane
Dichloro methane
Chlorobenzene
Bromo benzene
Chloroform
Benzene
Toluene
Carbone tetrachloride

35.74
15.8
10.65
9.08
5.708
5.4
4.806
2.804
2.438
2.38

0.287
0.173
0.292
0.188
0.16
0.201
0.418
0.212
0.314
0.404

10.11
7.77
11.19
8.25
7.33
8.8
24
9.2
11.8
19

91
89.2
91.8
88.6
88
89.8
96
90.2
92.2
95

0.0418
0.13714
0.21977
0.26361
0.43927
0.46625
0.52805
0.92916
1.07372
1.1007

7.26
5.73
7.97
6.054
5.448
6.409
1.634
6.6714
8.382
1.307

68.15638
40.2686
83.55384
45.47691
35.85185
51.67269
384
56.47675
93.14968
240.6667

60.4354
59.1605
60.9289
59.4552
58.879
59.7646
64.6239
59.98
61.1923
63.492

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Transactions on Engineering and Sciences

Vol.3, Issue 6, October-December 2015

ISSN: 2347-1964 (Online) 2347-1875 (Print)

F.

Stoichiometry:
By using spectrophotometric methods to know the more probable structure of complex extraction which
are slope analysis, mole ratio, continuous variation method, slope ratio. The results are as in Figure (912)

Figure 9: Slope analysis method

The methods show the more probable structure of complex extracted was 1:1 Zn (II): (BDPI)

G. Spectrophotometric Determination
Solvent extraction as sensitive and selective method used for spectrophotometric determination of Zn2+
in different samples such as soil, vegetable, fruit etc. The samples digestion it have been using dry digestion
method[11]. Prepared calibration curve at max=548nm to the determination Zn2+ in different samples.
Afterward prepared sample solution according to solvent extraction method and after separation the two
layers measured the absorbance of organic phase at max=548nm against organic reagent solution as blank.
Detection limit
Sandels sensitivits

0.000159mol /L
0.024493mg cm-2

RSD

0.00819 %
2669.24 L mol-1cm-1

Figure 10: Calibration curve for spectrophotometric determination of Zn(II) in different samples
Table 3: Accumulated quantity of Zn(II) in different samples[6-8].
The samples
Cow meat(Beef)
Fish farms
Dates
Orange(Egypt)
radish
Onion
Najaf sea
Old holy city
Soil of Al-Salam Valley
Drinking water (Al-Ataba)
Tap water

ppmZn(II)
28.1
32.2
1.23
2.9
40
32
121
109
113
3.2
1.2

ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Thanks to Prof. Dr. Shawket Kadhim Jawad, Chemistry Department The College of Education For Girls
/University of Kufa to help in work and have shared your knowledge with me and Thank you for advice
amd support.
REFERENCES
[1] S.K .Jawad, and F. A. W .AL-Ghurabi, Liquid- Liquid extraction method for extraction Zn(II) and Cd(II)
from aqueous solutions by two synthesized azo organic reagent. Al-Qadysia Journal,1(2),23-50. (2013).

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Transactions on Engineering and Sciences

Vol.3, Issue 6, October-December 2015

ISSN: 2347-1964 (Online) 2347-1875 (Print)

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