Comparative extraction studies of potassium phenoxide, p-nitrophenoxide, and picrate into methylene chloride by macrocyclic crown ether and cryptand complexing agents

The results of a comparative extraction study of potassium phenoxide, p-nitrophenoxide, and picrate, from aqueous medium into methylene chloride in the presence of crown ether and cryptand complexing agents, are reported. The efficiency of extraction varies extremely widely with the nature of the anion and the ligand. An analysis of the results in terms of constituent equilibrium constants, and the factors which influence these, is presented. The significance of the results to other areas including phase transfer catalysis is pointed out.