Abstract: Disclosed is a tetra substituted cyclohexane having an ionophore in the one and two positions wherein the ionophore may be the same or different and is selected from the group consisting of a crown, a podand and a cryptand wherein the ionophore is capable of complexing with a metal or ammonium cation. Positions four and five are substituted by an electron donor group and an electron acceptor group. Also disclosed is a method for detecting the concentration of cations in a fluid by subjecting the fluid to the tetra substituted cyclohexane composition which will thereby complex the cation in the fluid. The cations are preferably alkali metal and alkaline earth metal cations. The fluid may be an aqueous or non-aqueous fluid or body fluids.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tetra substituted cyclohexane having an ionophore in the one and two positions wherein the ionophore may be the same or different and is selected from the group consisting of a crown, a podand and a cryptand wherein the ionophore is capable of complexing with a metal or ammonium cation. Positions four and five are substituted by an electron donor group and an electron acceptor group. Also disclosed is a method for detecting the concentration of cations in a fluid by subjecting the fluid to the tetra substituted cyclohexane composition which will thereby complex the cation in the fluid. The cations are preferably alkali metal and alkaline earth metal cations. The fluid may be an aqueous or non-aqueous fluid or body fluids.