Synthesis and extraction studies of polymeric phthalimido functionalized calix[4]arene

The article comprises synthesis and extraction studies of polymeric calix[4]arene having phthalimide groups at the lower rim. The polymeric phthalimido functionalized calix[4]arene was synthesized via radical initiated reactions involving a vinylic monomer 5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl-25-[4-(acrylamido)benzyloxy]-26,28-bis-(2-phthalimido-ethoxy)-27-hydroxycalix[4]arene (5) with styrene. A five atom spacer group was incorporated between the bulky calixarene core and the acrylate moiety in order to minimize steric interactions which proved to impede the polymerization. From the liquid–liquid and solid–liquid extraction studies it has been concluded that the precursor 3 (5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl-25-(4-nitro benzyloxy)-26,28-bis-(3-phthalimidoethoxy)-27-hydroxy-calix[4]arene) is selective for metal cations. The order of extractability of metal cations by the ligand 3 decreases in the sequence: Hg2+ > Cd2+ > Cu2+ > K+ > Co2+ whereas its polymeric derivative is selective in the sequence: Hg2+ > Cd2+ > K+ > Co2+ > Cu2+ for the metal cations used in the experiments.