A new macrocyclic ligand 12-octadecyl-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclotridecane-11,13-dione (odt) was synthesized and the transport kinetics of Cu2+ by liquid membrane of odt was studied. The results showed that the transport is a consecutive first order process with k1 = 8.1x10-3h-1 and k2 = 5.5x10-2h-1. The formation rate of complex of odt with Cu2+ is lower than dissociation rate of the complex, therefore the complex formation is the rate-controlling step. The transport process is not concerned with anions as participants but is controlled by acidity. Cu2+ is transported selectively from the region of low concentration to that of high concentration by controlling acidity. This is similar to active transport of metal ions by cell membrane.

Key words: REACTION KINETICS, NITROGEN HETEROCYCLICS, COPPER COMPLEX, MACROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS, DIKETONE, CELL MEMBRANE, TRANSMISSION CHARACTERISTICS, BIOMIMETIC CHEMISTRY