Determination of arsenic species using functionalized ionic liquid by in situ dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction followed by atomic absorption spectrometry

Schematic presentation of applicability of a task specific ionic liquid (TSIL) has been used as extracting solvent and chelating agent in dispersive liquid-liquid micro-extraction (DLLME) was for the pre-concentration and determination of arsenic species. [Display omitted] •APDC-functionalized ionic liquid [[PDC-C2C1Im][Br]] was used for As speciation.•[[PDC-C2C1Im][Br]] is playing the role of the extraction solvent and chelating agent.•Linear dynamic ranges of 0.2–15 ng mL−1 and 0.2–20 ng mL−1 were achieved for As speciation.•(TSIL-DLLME) based on [[PDC-C2C1Im][Br]] were used to As speciation in real sample.•The technique utilizes free organic solvent and supports the green chemistry concept. Synthesis and application of a task-specific ionic liquids (TSILs) as extracting solvents or chelating agents in dispersive liquid–liquid micro-extraction (DLLME) was evaluated. The developed method was based on the use of an ammonium pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (APDC) bonded ionic liquid for chelation with As(III), followed by conversion of the As(III) chelated TSIL to a hydrophobic ionic liquid using KPF6 as an anion-exchange reagent. As(V) was reduced to As(III), using a 2/1 w/w blend of KI and Na2S2O3 and then the total amount of As was measured through ETAAS analysis. Under optimal conditions, linear dynamic ranges of 0.2–15 ng mL−1 and 0.2–20 ng mL−1 were observed in the determination of As(III) and total As respectively. The relative standard deviations (RSD%, n = 5) for the determination of As(III) (10 ng mL−1) was 3.2% and the limits of detection and quantitation were determined to be 0.01 ng mL−1 and 0.0.034 ng mL−1; respectively.