The complexes of hydroxycitronellal (o-aminobenzoic acid) copper(II) (Cu(II)-HXAB) and salicylaldehyde (o-aminobenzoic acid) copper(II) (Cu(II)-SHAB) were used as neutral carriers in PVC-based membrane ion-selective electrodes. The electrode based on Cu(II)-HXAB exhibited near-Nernstian potential response to thiocyanate (SCN-) in a linear range of 1.0 x 10(-6) to 1.0 x 10(-1) M with a detection limit of 8.5 x 10(-7) M and a slope of -57.3 mV/decade in 0.01 M phosphate buffer solution (pH 5.0). The electrode exhibited high selectivity to SCN-over other tested anions with an anti-Hofmeister selectivity sequence. The selectivity behavior might be discussed in terms of UV-Vis spectrum and infrared spectrum. The transfer process of thiocyanate across the membrane interface was investigated by making use of the AC impedance technique. The electrode containing Cu(II)-HXAB could be applied to thiocyanate analysis in waste water with satisfactory results. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.