Synthesis and Characterization of the Surfactant Terbium 3-[[1,2-Bis-[[(2-Ethylhexyl)Oxy]Carbonyl]Ethyl]Thio]Succinate as a Reagent for Determining Organic Analytes

Abstract

The surfactant terbium 3-[[1,2-bis[[(2-ethylhexyl)oxy]carbonyl]ethyl]thio]succinate has been synthesized and characterized by use of its absorption, luminescence, and microviscosity properties. In the presence of small amounts of water, this surfactant aggregates in cyclohexane to form reversed micelles containing Tb(III) counterions. The critical reverse micelle concentration has been determined to be 5.7 × 10⁻⁵ M with the use of an optical probe. Organic analytes solubilized in reverse micelles have been detected indirectly with the use of the luminescence characteristics of Tb(III) counterions. The detection scheme is based on energy transfer from the solubilized organic donor to acceptor Tb(III) counterions. Analytical figures of merit for the micellar system in the presence of organic analytes are presented. The microviscosity of the reverse micellar core has been estimated with the use of a viscosity-sensitive luminescent probe.