Ribonucleic acid as a novel ionophore for potentiometric membrane sensors of some transition metal ions.

Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is used as a novel ionophore in plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) matrix membrane sensors for some transition metal ions. Membranes incorporating RNA and doped in Cu(2+), Cd(2+) and Fe(2+) display fast near-Nernstian and stable responses for these ions with cationic slopes of 31.1, 31.3 and 35.5 mV per decade, respectively, over the concentration range 10(-6)-10(-2) M and pH range 4-6.5. The cadmium RNA-based sensor shows no interference by Cu(2+), Fe(2+) Hg(2+) and Ag(+), which are known to interfere significantly with the solid-state CdS/Ag(2)S membrane electrode. The copper RNA-based sensor displays general potentiometric characteristics similar to those based on macrocyclic ionophores and organic ion exchangers and has the advantage of a better selectivity for Cu(2+) over some alkaline earth, divalent and transition metal ions. The iron RNA-based membrane sensor exhibits no interference by Hg(2+) and Zn(2+), which are known to interfere with other previously suggested sensors. The nature and composition of the RNA ionophore and its cadmium complex are examined using electrophoresis, Fourier-transform infrared analysis, elemental analysis and X-ray fluorescence techniques.