Al(III)-selective electrode based on newly synthesized xanthone derivative as neutral ionophore

The suitability of a xanthone derivative, 1-hydroxy-3-methyl-9H-xanthen-9-one (HMX) as a neutral ionophore for the preparation of a polyvinylchloride (PVC) membrane electrode for aluminum(III) ions was investigated. The prepared electrode exhibits a Nernstian response for Al3+ ions over a wide concentration range (1.0 × 10−6 to 1.6 × 10−1 M) with a limit of detection 6.0 × 10−7 M. It has a relatively fast response time and can be used for at least three months without any considerable divergence in potentials. The proposed membrane electrode revealed very good selectivity for Al3+ ions over a wide variety of other cations and could be used at a working pH range of 3.0–8.5. It was used as an indicator electrode in potentiometric titration of aluminum ions with EDTA and in the determination of Al3+ in different real samples.