p-tert-Butyldihomooxacalix[4]arene/p-tert-Butylcalix[4]arene: Transition and Heavy Metal Cation Extraction and Transport Studies by Ketone and Ester Derivatives

The binding properties of two phenylketones (2a and 3a) and two ethylesters (2b and {3b) derived from p-tert-butyldihomooxacalix[4]arene or from p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene, in the cone conformation, towards transition (Ag⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Co²⁺, Zn²⁺, Fe²⁺ and Mn²⁺) and heavy (Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺ and Pb²⁺) metal cations have been determined by extraction studies with metal picrates and liquid membrane transport experiments with the same salts. The affinity of these ligands for Ag⁺ has also been investigated by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. Both ketones are better extractants than the esters, and show a strong preference for Ag⁺, while Cu²⁺ is the most extracted cation with the esters. ¹H NMR titrations with AgSO₃CF₃ indicate 1 : 1 complexes for all ligands, those with ketones are more stable, on the NMR time scale, than those with esters. Both esters are good carriers for Ag⁺, and 2b exhibits the highest transport rate (4.7 mol h^-1) found until now with dihomooxacalix[4]arene derivatives.