Patent ID: 6048732
Filing Date: 2000-04-11
Classification: G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
A method for determining a concentration of a polycarboxylic acid in a solution, the method comprising:adding the solution comprising the polycarboxylic acid to a composition, the composition comprising a receptor for the polycarboxylic acid, an indicator, and a solvent, the receptor being adapted to bind to the polycarboxylic acid during use, the indicator being adapted to bind to the receptor such that at least one physical property of the indicator are altered during use, wherein the receptor comprises a compound of the formula:(R.sup.1).sub.n --X--(R.sup.2).sub.mwherein X comprises carbocyclic systems or C1-C10 alkanes, n is an integer of at least 2, m is an integer of at least 1; andwherein each of R.sup.1 independently represents --(CH2).sub.y --NR.sup.3 --C(NR.sup.4)--NR.sup.5, or --(CH.sub.2).sub.y --NR.sup.6 R.sup.7 ;where y is an integer of at least 1;where R.sup.3, R.sup.4, and R.sup.5 independently represent hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkyl carbonyl of 1 to 10 carbon atoms, or alkoxy carbonyl of 1 to 10 carbon atoms, or R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 together represent a cycloalkyl group,where R.sup.6 represents hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkyl carbonyl of 1 to 10 carbon atoms, or alkoxy carbonyl of 1 to 10 carbon atoms; where R.sup.7 represents hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkyl carbonyl of 1 o 10 carbon atoms, or alkoxy carbonyl of 1 to 10 carbon atoms; or where R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 together represent a cycloalkyl group; andwherein each of R.sup.2 independently represents hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, phelnyl, phenylalkyl, arylalkyl aryl, or together with another group represent a carbocyclic ring; andwherein n is at least equal to the number of carboxylic acid groups of the polycarboxylic acid;allowing the polycarboxylic acid to interact with the receptor to substantially release the indicator from the receptors;moitoring the change in the physical property of the indicator after the addition of the solution; and calculating the concentration of the polycarboxylic acid in the solution based on the change in physical property of the indicator.