The synthesis of a series of n-dodecyloligo (oxyethylene) carboxylic acids of general formula C12H25 (OCH2CH2) n OCH2COOH (n= 0 to 5) and application of these compounds for the separation of Zn (II), Cd (II), and Hg (II) in extraction are reported. Negligible extractability of the metal ions investigated was found using dodecyloxyacetic acid (n= 0) which indicated that complexation resulted from metal-cation interaction with oxygen atoms of the ...