Heavy Metal Removal from Synthetic Solutions with Magnetic Beads Under Magnetic Field

The aim of this study is to prepare magnetic beads which can be used for the removal of heavy metal ions from synthetic solutions. Magnetic poly(ethylene glycol dimethacrylate‐vinyl imidazole) [m‐poly(EGDMA‐VIM)] beads were produced by suspension polymerization in the presence of magnetite Fe₃O₄ nano‐powder. The specific surface area of the m‐poly(EGDMA‐VIM) beads was found to be 63.1 m²/g with a size range of 150–200 µm in diameter and the swelling ratio was 85%. The average Fe₃O₄ content of the resulting m‐poly(EGDMA‐VIM) beads was 12.4%. The maximum binding capacities of the m‐poly(EGDMA‐VIM) beads were 32.4 mg/g for Cu²⁺, 45.8 mg/g for Zn²⁺, 84.2 mg/g for Cd²⁺and 134.5 mg/g for Pb²⁺. The affinity order on mass basis is Pb²⁺>Cd²⁺>Zn²⁺>Cu²⁺. Equilibrium data agreed well with the Langmuir model. pH significantly affected the binding capacity of the magnetic beads. Binding of heavy metal ions from synthetic wastewater was also studied. The binding capacities were 26.2 mg/g for Cu²⁺, 33.7 mg/g for Zn²⁺, 54.7 mg/g for Cd²⁺ and 108.4 mg/g for Pb²⁺. The magnetic beads could be regenerated up to about 97% by treating with 0.1 M HNO₃. These features make m‐poly(EGDMA‐VIM) beads a potential candidate for support of heavy metal removal under magnetic field.     

Synthesis and Comparison of Extraction Properties of p‐tert‐Butylcalix[n]arene Nitrile Derivatives for Selected Metals and Dichromate Anions

The article describes the syntheses and extraction properties of two p‐tert‐butylcalix[6]arene nitrile derivatives (3 and 4). The trinitrile derivative 3 has been synthesized from 5,11,17,23,29,35‐hexa‐tert‐butyl‐37,38,39,40,41,42‐hexahydroxycalix[6]arene 1. The compound 1 was directly converted to its hexanitrile derivative 4. In these syntheses, it was thought to explore the role of nitrile sites in the extraction of various metal cations and HCr₂O₇ ^?/Cr₂O₇ ^2? anions. The liquid‐liquid extraction properties of 3 and 4 towards selected alkali/transition metal cations and HCr₂O₇ ^?/Cr₂O₇ ^2? anions are reported. It has been observed that receptor 3 does not extract alkali/transition metal cations effectively, but shows affinity towards HCr₂O₇ ^?/Cr₂O₇ ^2? anions at low pH. The compound 4 is an effective form for transferring Ni²⁺ selectively, while it shows poor transferring ability for HCr₂O₇ ^?/Cr₂O₇ ^2? anions from an aqueous into a dichloromethane layer. It was observed that the cavity size of the calix[n]arenes and the cooperativity of the functionalities play important roles in two phase extraction systems.     

Dielectric Properties of Polymer Composites Filled with Different Metals

Electrically conductive composite systems based on polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) filled with metal powders of Al and Cu have been studied. The composite preparation conditions allow the formation of a random distribution of metallic particles in the polymer matrix. Dependence of the dielectric and conductivity properties of the PVC and PMMA/fillers was studied over a broad range of frequency and volume fraction of metal fillers. The experimental results could be explained by means of the conductivity of fillers and the interface polarization between polymers and fillers. Percolation was also seen in this study when the volume fraction of conducting fillers was close to critical value, in which the composites undergo an insulator‐conductor transition. The relation among the dielectric property and the fillers with different conductivity was proposed.     

Synthesis,Spectral Studies and Bio‐activity of Some Ligand Bridged Polymeric Transition Metal Complexes of Acetone p‐Amino Acetophenone Isonicotinoyl Hydrazone

Ligand bridged polymeric complexes of the type [M(apainh)(H₂O)X] where, M=Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II); X=Cl₂ or SO₄; apainh=acetone p‐amino acetophenone isonicotinoyl hydrazone have been synthesized and characterized. The complexes are stable solids, insoluble in common organic solvents and are non‐electrolytes. Magnetic moments and electronic spectral studies suggest a spin‐free octahedral geometry for all Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) complexes. IR spectra show tridentate nature of the ligand bonding through two >C?N and a >C?O groups. X‐ray powder diffraction parameters for some of the complexes correspond to orthorhombic and tetragonal crystal lattices. Thermal studies (TGA and DTA) of [Mn(apainh)(H₂O)SO₄] complex show multi‐step decomposition pattern of both an endothermic and exothermic nature. ESR data of Cu(II) chloride complex in solid state show an axial spectra, whereas, Cu(II) sulfate complex is isotropic in nature. The complexes show a significant antifungal activity against a number of pathogenic fungal species and antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas sp. and Clostridium sp. The metal complexes are more active than the ligand.     

Synthesis and cation binding properties of fluorescent calix[4]arene derivatives bearing tryptophan units at the lower rim

The fluorescent peptidocalixarenes, 5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl-25,26,27,28-tetrakis(O-methyl-l-tryptophanylcarbonylmethoxy)calix[4]arene (1) and 5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl-25,27-di(O-methyl)-26,28-bis(O-methyl-l-tryptophanylcarbonylmethoxy)calix[4]arene (2), were prepared by introducing tryptophan subunits at a lower calixarene rim. Coordination abilities of 1 and 2 towards Eu(III) and alkali metal cations were studied by spectrophotometric, spectrofluorimetric, conductometric and potentiometric titrations in acetonitrile at 25°C. Rather strong complexation was observed for smaller alkali metal cations Li⁺ and Na⁺ (log K _Li1 >6, log K _Li2 >6, log K _Na1  = 8.25, log K _Na2  = 6.94), and moderate for K⁺ (log K _K1  = 5.09, log K _K2  = 4.09). Larger Rb⁺ and Cs⁺ cations did not fit in the ion binding site of 1 so no complexation was detected, whereas the more flexible ligand 2 accommodated Rb⁺ cation (log K _Rb2  = 3.44). The fluorescence of 1 (λ_ex = 280 nm, λ_em = 340 nm) was remarkably quenched by Eu(III). Stability constant of 1:1 (Eu³⁺:1) complex determined spectrofluorimetrically amounted to log K _Eu1  = 6.16.     

Metal ion complexation in acetonitrile by cone,di-ionised calix[4]arene-1,2-crown ethers with two pendant dansyl fluorophores

Four cone calix[4]arene-1,2-crown ethers each with two ionisable side arms containing dansyl groups are synthesised. The crown ether ring on the lower rim is varied from crown-4 to crown-5 with hydrogen or tert-butyl groups on the para position of the upper rim. Di(tetramethylammonium) salts of the di-ionised ligands are utilised for spectrofluorimetric titration experiments in MeCN. The influence of alkali metal, alkaline earth metal and selected transition and heavy metal (Co²⁺, Fe²⁺, Hg²⁺, Mn²⁺, Pb²⁺, Zn²⁺ and Fe³⁺) cations on the spectroscopic properties of the two dansyl groups linked to the lower rim of the conformationally locked, di-ionised calix[4]arene-1,2-crown ether frameworks is investigated by emission spectrophotometry. All of the metal cations induce red shifts in the emission spectra of the di-ionised ligands. The metal cations produce enhancement or quenching of the fluorescence emissions. Changes in the fluorescence emission as a function of the metal cation identity, the lower rim crown ether ring size and the absence or presence of upper rim tert-butyl groups are investigated.     

Competitive solvent extraction of alkaline earth metals by ionizable nano-baskets of calixarene

The competitive solvent extraction of alkaline earth metals using different nano-baskets was investigated. The novelty of this work is to study the correlations between the isomer structure of calixarenes and their extraction properties. The objective was to quantify the effects of aryl groups in the ionisable pendant moieties, calixarene conformation, steric orientations (cis- and trans-) and relative positions (ortho- and para-) of pendant moieties upon the extraction efficiency, pH_1/2 and the selectivity of calix[4]arene complexes. Alkaline earth metals were extracted from aqueous solutions into chloroform by di-ionisable calix[4]arenes and were measured using ion chromatography. The results revealed that alternation of aryl group in the pendant moieties, changing their orientation from cis- to trans-analogues as well as from ortho- to para- analogues, showed no changes in the selectivity, the extraction efficiency and the pH_1/2 of calix[4]arene complexes. Changing the scaffold of calixarene's ring to the cone, 1,2-alternate and partial-cone conformers altered their complexation ability towards alkaline earth metals and their extraction efficiency.     

Synthesis and electrochemical properties of a novel calix[4]arene derivative for facilitated transfer of alkali metal ions across water/1,2-dichloroethane micro-interface

The alkali metal ion transfers facilitated by a novel calix[4]arene derivative (OPEC) across the water/1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-DCE) micro-interface supported at the tip of a micropipette were presented. The well-defined voltammetric behaviours except Cs⁺ was obtained by cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry. The bulk concentration of metal ions was much higher than that of OPEC in the performed measurements. The diffusion coefficient of OPEC in the 1,2-DCE phase was calculated as 5.18 ± 0.70 × 10^? 6 cm² s^? 1. On the basis of the changes of the half-wave transfer potentials, the logarithms of the association constants having 1:1 ionophore–ion complex stoichiometry for Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺ and Rb⁺ in 1,2-DCE were determined as 4.80, 4.62, 4.98 and 5.32, respectively. The facilitated ion transfers were also evaluated by the Randles equivalent circuit used for ac-impedance data analysis.     

Alkali metal and ammonium cation–arene interactions with tetraphenylborate anion

Sodium, potassium, rubidium, caesium, ammonium and tetramethylammonium tetraphenylborates were studied by both positive and negative ion electrospray mass spectrometry. An affinity order of Cs⁺ > Rb⁺ > K⁺ ～ Na⁺ was obtained. The results obtained were compared with both calculations and solid-state structures, where available. The previously reported high affinity of caesium for tetraphenylborate concluded from NMR experiments was confirmed for the gas phase. The affinity does not appear to result from steric effects and a cation–pi interaction seems likely. In the positive ion mode, a unique acetonitrile complex of NaBPh₄ was observed.     

Metal ion-assisted assembly of one-dimensional polyrotaxanes incorporating cucurbit[6]uril

Three cucurbit[6]uril (CB[6])-based polyrotaxanes [Cu(H₂ C6N4)(CB[6])]Cl₄·12H₂O (1), [Co(H₂ C6N4)(CB[6])]Cl₄·14H₂O (2) and [Ag(C6N4)(CB[6])]NO₃·7H₂O (3) are prepared using N,N′-bis(4-pyridylmethyl)-1,6-hexanediamine (C6N4) threading into CB[6]'s and metal ions' assistance. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses reveal that polyrotaxanes 1, 2 and 3 all have 1D chain structure where 1 and 2 are linear and 3 has two shapes, linear and sawtooth, respectively. The effects of guest molecules, metal and counter ions as well as intermolecular weak interactions on the architectures of polyrotaxanes are discussed.