Azacage compounds as efficient tools for enhancing metal ion and anion extraction

Azacage compounds have been investigated in order to find typical structure extractability relationships towards selected metal ions [Ag(I), Hg(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), Co(II), Cu(I) and Cu(II)] and anions [I, Cl, SO₄ ^2-, TcO₄ ^-]. The influence of different parameters [concentration, pH, diluent, time, temperature] on the extraction equilibrium will be discussed. The complexation and extraction behaviour observed will be interpreted using ESI mass spectroscopic studies, cyclovoltammetric measurements and molecular modeling calculations.