Extraction of tributyltin and triphenyltin across a single oil droplet/water interface

Tributyltin (TBT+) and triphenyltin (TPT+) were extracted with merocyanine 540 (MC-) from water into a 1,6-dichlorohexane droplet with the radius of 40 (mu)m and the absorption spectra of MC- were measured by a single microdroplet manipulation and Amicroabsorption technique. The mass transfer rate and the partitioning ratio of MC- were characteristically influenced by the TBT+, TPT+, MC-, and Cl- concentrations in water. The ion pair extraction processes of the organotin compounds with the anions were discussed in terms of the ion transfer and adsorption–desorption of the solutes.