In this paper, two anionic two phase systems, sodium dodecyl sulfate(SDS) dodecyl triethylammonium bromide(C 12 NE) and sodium perfluorooctanoate (SPFO) C 12 NE, were established. A two phase system with a clear interfacial boundary formed spontaneously under certain surfactant concentrations and molar ratios, respectively for the above two mixtures. Phase separation conditions and their properties were studied. Extractions of dyes and porphyrin compounds were performed. The results show that hydrophobic molecules are easily extracted into the surfactant rich phase of SPFO C 12 NE or into the “aqueous phase” of SDS C 12 NE. Positively charged porphyrins are extracted with higher extraction efficiencies than negatively charged porphyrins. The extraction results for charged porphyrins are opposite to those extracted with cationic two phase of C 12 NE SDS mixture, indicating that anionic two phase systems are complementary to the cationic two phase systems.
