Extraction behavior of copper(II) ion with a hydrophobic amino-functionalized ionic liquid

We have prepared the hydrophobic amino-functionalized ionic liquid (IL) 1-(2-aminoethyl)-3-butylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate and investigated its extraction behavior for copper(II) ion as a model cation. The IL, due to the presence of an amino group, is capable of complexing Cu(II) in a ratio of 6:1. The parameters affecting the extraction efficiency were optimized. The IL-based liquid–liquid microextraction was successfully applied to the analysis of Cu(II) in an environmental water standard reference material. The results are promising in terms of liquid–liquid microextraction, separation, and preconcentration of Cu(II).