Membrane, artificial neutral carrier

Extensive studies including both inner-sphere and outer-sphere complexation of cations were performed with lasa-locid A, which is a small natural ionophore containing a salicylic acid fragment (Figure 1). The ability of lasalocid to form neutral outer-sphere complexes with species like Co(NH3)(5 +, Cr(bpy)3 ", Pt(bpy)(NH3)2 " " allows one to use it as an ionophore for the membrane transport (including chiroselective transport) of such species. The lasalocid ionophore also was shown to be an efficient carrier for toxic water-soluble metal cations such as Pb + and Cd + across artificial flat-sheet-supported liquid membranes, which represent a potential system for separation of these cations. 

Lipophilic, electrically neutral lonophores are also called ion carriers because of their capability of selectively transporting ions across artificial membranes. They are chemical components that are key to achieving high selectivity with liquid or polymer membrane based ISEs. 

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