Extraction Methods

Molecular recognition, binding and transport of different chemical species represents an aspect of supramolecular chemistry that has relevance to a number of areas that include biochemical processes, analytical techniques, recycling and environmental processes as well as aspects of catalysis and medicine. Over the years, a large number of both efficient and selective receptors for cations, anions, salts and zwitterions based on different architectures and binding modes have been developed and studied.
Among the manifold experimental techniques employed for the application of such receptors has been the investigation of the distribution of species between two immiscible solutions, normally an aqueous and an organic phase, under the influence of the receptor in the organic phase. Such a procedure has often allowed characterization of the receptor’s complexation behavior towards individual species as well as enabling an evaluation of its suitability for species monitoring, separation and/or concentration; especially with respect to possible analytical applications as well as for use in extraction and membrane transport processes.