CYCLODEXTRIN-MODIFIED SOLVENT-EXTRACTION FOR POLYNUCLEAR AROMATIC-HYDROCARBONS

The extraction efficiencies of several polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) between isopropyl ether/water and between isopropyl ether:1-butanol (1:4)/water are measured in the presence of an aqueous γ-cyclodextrin (CDx) modifier at room temperature. The distribution of certain PAHs into the aqueous phase is increased by the presence of 10-2 M γ-CDx. For compounds such as perylene and coronene, which show the most marked effects, the extraction efficiencies into the aqueous phase from pure isopropyl ether are 95.1% and 93.7%, respectively, when the CDx modifier is used. In the mixed solvent system with 1-butanol, these values are 63.4% and 98.1%, respectively. In both systems, the increased distribution into water is based in part on the size relationship between the PAH and the CDx cavity.