Cyclic polyamine ionophore for use in a dibasic phosphate-selective electrode.

A cyclic polyamine, 3-decyl-1,5,8-triazacyclodecane-2,4-dione (N3-cyclic amine), was used as the ionophore for a dibasic phosphate-selective electrode. This electrode exhibited a linear response between 1.0 mumol/L and 0.1 mol/L dibasic phosphate activity with a near-Nernstian slope of approximately -29 mV per activity decade. The electrode selectivity for dibasic phosphate over other commonly occurring anions was evaluated. A mechanism for the selectivity of the electrode toward HOP4(2-) ions is postulated to be a function of the size and charge of the N3-cyclic amine ionophore relative to the size and charge of HPO4(2-) ions. The electrode's superior selectivity and sensitivity make possible the direct measurement of phosphate activity in a wide variety of applications.