Partitioning of Cephalexin in Ionic Liquid Aqueous Two-Phase System Composed of 1-Butyl-3-Methylimidazolium Tetrafluoroborate and ZnSO4

Abstract EN

Ionic liquid aqueous two-phase system (ILATPS) was applied in the extraction and separation of hydrosoluble antibiotics.

The partitioning behavior of cephalexin (CEX) in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([Bmim]BF4)-ZnSO4 aqueous two-phase system was studied by the partitioning parameter of the extraction efficiency.

The effect of the volume of [Bmim]BF4, the concentration of ZnSO4, temperature, pH, and the volume of ZnSO4 solution was discussed concretely.

When the volume of [Bmim]BF4 was 2 mL and the concentration of ZnSO4 was 35%, the extraction efficiency of CEX could reach 92.64% with pH unadjusted.

The effect of the volume of [Bmim]BF4 on the extraction efficiency was higher than that of the concentration of ZnSO4.

The temperature influenced not only the formation of aqueous two-phase system but also the extraction efficiency of CEX.

The target was found to be preferentially extracted to the [Bmim]BF4-rich phase at the pH below 4.3.

The partition of CEX to the top phase was enhanced by increasing the volume of [Bmim]BF4, the concentration of ZnSO4, and temperature; however, the partition of CEX to the top phase increased by decreasing the pH.