Green Downscaling of Solvent Extractive Determination Employing Coconut Oil as Natural Solvent with Smartphone
Colorimetric Detection: Demonstrating the Concept via Cu(II) Assay Using 1,5-Diphenylcarbazide

Coconut oil as a natural solvent is proposed for green downscaling solvent extractive
determination. Determination of Cu(II) using 1,5-Diphenylcarbazide (DPC) was selected as a model
for the investigation. Cu(II)-DPC complexes in aqueous solution were transferred into coconut oil
phase. The change of the color due to Cu(II)-DPC complexes in coconut oil was followed by using a
smartphone and image processing. A single standard concept was used for a series of Cu(II) standard
solutions. A downscaling procedure using a 2 mL vial provided a calibration: color intensity = 􀀀142
[Cu(II)] + 222, (R² = 0.98), 10% RSD. Using a well plate, a calibration was: color intensity = 61 [Cu(II)]
+ 68 (R² = 0.91), 15% RSD. Both were for the range of 0–1 ppm Cu(II). Application of the developed
procedure to water samples was demonstrated. The developed procedures provided a new approach
of green chemical analysis.