A metallophthalocyanine complex with zirconium(IV) ion in the center (as an oxo-zirconium, Zr=O, group) was used in poly vinyl chloride (PVC) membranes for the selective detection of 5-sulfosalicylic acid (SSA). The resulting electrodes demonstrate Nernstian responses over a wide range of sulfosalicylic acid concentration (10(-6) to 10(-1)moldm(-3)) with a slope of about -29mV per decade. The influence of lipophilic ion-exchanger sites on the response properties of the electrodes was investigated. The optimal potentiometric response was observed for the electrode in the presence of about 150mol% of cationic additive (relative to ionophore) in the phase membrane. The electrodes have a fast response time, micromolar detection limit and good long-term stability (more than 2 months). The feasibility of the application of these sensors for the potentiometric titration of iron in solutions that were prepared from magnetite samples was investigated.