Macrocycle-Facilitated Transport of Ions in Liquid Membrane Systems

Ion transport in various liquid membrane systems is discussed in terms of those factors which create the environment for efficient and selective transport. The following parameters which affect ion transport are discussed: membrane configuration, cation-macrocycle complex stability, macrocycle partitioning between membrane and water phases, proton ionization of acidic macrocycles, macrocycle concentration, anion type, ion concentration, membrane solvent type and receiving phase composition. A summary of existing models of ion transport is given along with possible applications to macrocycle-facilitated liquid membraneion transport.