Synthesis and application of a highly efficient tetraester calix[4]arene based resin for the removal of Pb from aqueous environment

The present study describes the Pb²⁺ sorption potential of newly synthesized tetraester calix[4]arene (TC4) based resin from aqueous media. The TC4 resin was synthesized through diazotization reaction of TC4 with Amberlite XAD-4 in the presence of sodium nitrite in acidic medium. The TC4 resin was characterized by using different analytical techniques such as FT-IR, elemental analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The Pb²⁺ removal ability of the resin from the aqueous environment has been evaluated by both batch adsorption as well as column studies. The experiments have been conducted involving the determination of effect of pH, adsorbate concentration, adsorbent dosage, contact time and temperature. Moreover, on the basis of kinetic studies, the pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order adsorption kinetics were calculated. The thermodynamic parameters of lead adsorption were also calculated. Equation isotherms such as Langmuir (L), Freundlich (F), and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) were successfully used to model the experimental data. From the D-R isotherm parameters, it was considered that the uptake of Pb²⁺ by TC4 resin is ion exchange mechanism. From the results it has been found that the TC4 resin is a versatile adsorbent for the removal of Pb²⁺ from the aqueous environment. The study also confers its impact on human health, reinstate of polluted sites and other fields of material science.     

A polycationic pillar[5]arene for the binding and removal of organic toxicants from aqueous media

ABSTRACT

The ability to bind and detect analytes with high levels of selectivity, sensitivity and broad applicability for a variety of analytes is an essential goal, with applications in public health and environmental remediation. Methods to achieve effective binding and detection include electrochemical, and spectroscopic methods. The use of supramolecular chemistry to accomplish such detection, by binding a target in a host and transducing that binding into a measurable signal, has advantages, including tunability of the sensor and the ability to rationally design hosts through an understanding of non-covalent interactions. Reported herein is the design and use of pillar[5]arenes to accomplish precisely such detection. Water-soluble pillar[5]arenes containing 10 cationic linker arms on their periphery bound toxicants in their hydrophobic cores with association constants of 10⁵–10⁶M^?1. With the use of cationic exchange resins, the pillar[5]arene hosts were removed from solution with their encapsulated guests, allowing for effective toxicant removal.     

Comparison of pillar[5]arene and calix[4]arene anion receptor ability in aqueous media

Abstract

Recognition ability of both cationic pillar[5]arene and calix[4]arene has been studied in aqueous media. Anion complexation can be evaluated from their ability to complex their counterions as well as an added external organic anion. DOSY NMR experiments and fluorescence quenching show that pillararenes have a larger ability for including their own counterions than calixarenes irrespective of the anion (tetrafluoroborate or chloride or bromide) and the structure of the cationic moiety (trimethylammonium or methylimidazolium). Counterion complexation shows a picture where four to five positive charges of the pillar[5]arene are neutralised, meanwhile only one positive charge of the calixarene is neutralised for a 1 mM solution of the macrocycle. Irrespective of the smaller net positive charge in the pillar[5]arene, its binding ability for organic anions (toluenesulfonate or hydroxybenzoate) is larger than for calix[4]arene allowing a better accommodation of the guest in its cavity. The larger separation between the cationic groups of the receptor and its electron-rich aromatic region improves the anion recognition ability for pillar[5]arene.     

Host-guest interactions in aqueous media withp-tert.-butylcalix[4]arene bearing polyoxyethylene chains

The interactions ofp-tert.-butylcalix[4]arene bearing polyoxyethylene chains (C3) with pyrene (Py), 1-anilino-8-naphthalenesulfonate (ANS) andN-phenyl-naphthylamine (NPN) in aqueous solution were studied by absorption and fluorescence measurements. Absorption spectral changes and fluorescence enhancements reveal that C3, which has a hydrophobic cavity, can include organic molecules and ions in aqueous solution and form 11 host-guest complexes with ANS and NPN. C3 forms inclusion complexes with Py at different stoichiometries depending on the host: guest molar ratio. Binding constants of 2.2×10⁴, 2.0×10⁴ and 3.6×10⁵ dm³ mol^–1 were calculated for the C3Py, C3ANS and C3NPN complexes (11), respectively, based on the Benesi-Hildebrand equation.Author for correspondence.     

Calix[4]arene based dendrimers

The synthesis of calix[4]arene based dendrimers containing up to seven calix[4]arene moieties is described, including the X-ray crystal structure of a tris-calix[4]arene branching derivative.     

Highly selective fluorescent calix[4]arene chemosensor for acidic amino acids in pure aqueous media

A fluorescent chemosensor based on a calix[4]arene derivative conjugated with four thiophene-cyanoarylic acid groups at the upper rim displays high selectivity toward acidic amino acids in pure aqueous media through multiple H-bond interactions. The interactions of Asp/Glu with the chemosensor have been investigated by fluorescence and UV–Vis titrations, ESI-MS assay, ¹H NMR spectra, and molecular modeling method.     

Ratiometry of monomer/excimer emissions of dipyrenyl calix[4]arene in aqueous media

Variations in the ratio of monomer/excimer emissions from pyrenyl groups bound to a calix[4]arene through facing carboxamidomethyl substituents have been investigated in H₂O/CH₃CN mixtures. Above a level of 50% H₂O, monomer emission declines and the excimer emission concomitantly increases. DFT calculations support the argument that disruption of intramolecular NHO bonds by water results in a geometry, which favors contact of the pyrene units and thus a strong excimer emission. Addition of Fe(III) to a H₂O/CH₃CN (4:1, v/v) solution of 1 at pH 6.1 quenches both monomer and excimer emissions through electron transfer (eT) from excited pyrene to the metal ion.     

Unexplored metallic cation effect in the acidity constants of p-t-butylthiacalix[4]arene,p-t-butylcalix[4]arene and p-t-butylcalix[6]arene in aqueous-organic media

The influence of the metallic cation of the base (Li⁺, Na⁺ or K⁺) was determined on the acid–base constants of p-t-butylthiacalix[4]arene (TC4), p-t-butylcalix[4]arene (CA4) and p-t-butylcalix[6]arene (CA6) in ethanol/water in an large interval of pH values by potentiometry and spectrophotometry. The pK_a values determined by both methods correlate very well and these are characteristic for each macrocycle with influence of the cation of the base without a straight evidence of an effect by the size of the metallic cation. In the case of TC4, pK_a1 and pK_a2 were lower to Li⁺ and Na⁺ than with K⁺. For CA4, an effect of K⁺ on the pK_a2 with respect to Li⁺ was observed. A very different behaviour was observed for CA6 with Li⁺ and K⁺ showing a lower pK_a2 and a higher pK_a3 than with Na⁺. These effects were interpreted on the basis of the interaction/complexation of each cation with each macrocycle.     

Quartzite an efficient adsorbent for the removal of anionic and cationic dyes from aqueous solutions

Quartzite obtained from local source was investigated for the removal of anionic dye congo red (CR) and cationic dye malachite green (MG) as an adsorbent from aqueous solution in batch experiment. The adsorption process was studied as a function of dye concentration, contact time, pH and temperature. Adsorption process was described well by Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. The adsorption capacity remained 666.7 mg/g for CR dye and 348.125 mg/g for MG dye. Data was analyzed thermodynamically, ΔH⁰ and ΔG⁰ values proved that adsorption of CR and MG is an endothermic and spontaneous process. Adsorption data fitted best in the pseudo-first order kinetic model. The adsorption data proved that quartzite exhibits the best adsorption capacity and can be utilized for the removal of anionic and cationic dyes.     

Novel calix[4]arene based metallo-supramolecular complex for recognition of cyanide ions in aqueous medium

A novel bis-naphthalimidocalix[4]arene-Cu(II) supramolecular complex has been observed to provide an efficient recognition system for CN^? ions in aqueous medium. The binding stoichiometry of bis-naphthalimidocalix[4]arene and copper ion has been found to be 1:1 while that for bis-naphthalimidocalix[4]arene-Cu(II) and cyanide ion it has been determined to be 1:2.     

Binding of the ionic liquid cation 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium to p-tetranitrocalix[4]arene probed by fluorescent indicator displacement

Acridine orange (AO) was used as a fluorescent probe molecule to study the encapsulation of an alkylimidazolium cation from a water-soluble ionic liquid (IL) within two cavitand species, p-tetranitrocalix[4]arene (1) and calix[4]resorcinarene (2), both in alkaline aqueous media. The addition of IL to the preformed [1·AO] adduct resulted in significantly increased fluorescence due to the expulsion of AO from the inclusion complex to the aqueous phase by competitive recognition of the 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium cation ([C(n)mim](+), n = 4 and 6) by 1. Conversely, the fluorescence signal dropped upon the addition of IL to the [2·AO] host-guest complex due to unfavorable binding between [C(n)mim](+) and 2. The formation of these postulated adducts is corroborated using ab initio calculations, which also provide evidence for the location of [bmim](+) at the lower external rim of [2·AO], providing an explanation for the observed luminescence quenching in the latter case. These results point to a number of different paths for exploration, ranging from the fluorescence monitoring of IL contamination in groundwater to the "daisy chaining" of macrocyles toward supramolecular ionic networks. They also broadly encourage the exploration of ILs in host-guest-based optical and mass spectrometric sensory systems.     

Fe3O4-CuO-activated carbon composite as an efficient adsorbent for bromophenol blue dye removal from aqueous solutions

Dye wastewater from industries is posing tremendous health hazards. The lethal dyes can be eliminated using nanomaterials and scientific approach like adsorption which is facile, cheap, safe as well as ecofriendly. Fe₃O₄-CuO-AC composite was prepared by a hydrothermal method and used for the removal of dyes in wastewater. The composite material was characterized by various techniques such as XRD, SEM, EDS, TEM and FT-IR. The Fe₃O₄-CuO-AC composite was used to treat five types of dyes in water. Fe₃O₄-CuO-AC composite showed the highest adsorption capability for bromophenol blue (BPB) dye. The effects of initial concentration, pH, the amount of adsorbent and temperature were also studied. The optimum conditions were found to be 20 ppm dye concentration, pH 9, an adsorbent dose of 0.06 gL^─1 at 65 °C. A removal efficiency of 97% was obtained for BPB dye during 120 min of adsorption. Kinetic studies indicated that a pseudo-second order is the most suitable model for the adsorption process. The Fe₃O₄-CuO-AC composite showed better adsorption capacity as compare to Fe₃O₄-AC except for the Methyl green dye. The maximum adsorption capacity was found to be 88.60 mg/g for BPB. Additionally, the thermodynamic parameters (ΔS°, ΔH° and ΔG°) showed that the process was spontaneous and exothermic. All the above results revealed that the Fe₃O₄-CuO-AC compositecan be an effective adsorbent for removing dyes from wastewater.     

Supramolecular polymer materials based on pillar[5]arene: Ultrasensitive detection and efficient removal of cyanide

An ultrasensitive detection and effective removal material was successfully developed by using a pillar[n]arene-based supramolecular polymer gel (MTP5⊃HB). The MTP5⊃HB can ultrasensitively recognize Cu²⁺ and Fe³⁺, and the limits of detection (LODs) for Cu²⁺ and Fe³⁺ are 1.55 and 2.68 nmol/L, respectively. Additionally, the in-situ generated metallogel MTP5⊃HB-Cu can exclusively detect CN⁻, and the LOD for CN⁻ is 1.13 nmol/L. Noticeably, the xerogel of MTP5⊃HB-Cu can effectively remove CN⁻ from aqueous solution with 94.40% removal rate. Test kit based on MTP5⊃HB-Cu is also prepared for convenient detection of CN⁻.     

Microwave-assisted synthesis of resorcin[4]arene and pyrogallol[4]arene macrocycles

A series of resorcin[4]arene and pyrogallol[4]arene macrocycles have been synthesized efficiently within 5 min, affording crystalline products suitable for single crystal X-ray diffraction, utilising microwave irradiation in a ‘one-pot’ reaction whilst controlling the selective formation of the rccc cone stereoisomer.     

An excellent copper selective chemosensor based on calix[4]arene framework

The article depicts a detailed study regarding copper selective chemosensing and complexation nature of 5,11,17,23-tetrakis[(N,N-diphenylamino)methyl]-25,26,27,28-tetrahydroxycalix[4]arene (PAC4). Its photophysical characteristics in various solvents of different polarities along with the influence of acid and base on its spectral properties in these solvents are also discussed. The complexation affinity of PAC4 with regard to its latent applications as Cu(II) selective colorimetric and fluorescent sensor among the selected series of various cations such as Li(I), Na(I), K(I), Rb(I), Ba(II), Sr(II), Al(III), Fe(III), Cd(II), Co(II), Hg(II), Mn(II), Ni(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) was examined by UV–visible and fluorescence emission spectroscopy in dichloromethane:acetonitrile (DCM:MeCN) solvent system. In addition, the process of complexation has been investigated through Job's plot and it has been observed that the complex between PAC4 and Cu(II) is formed in 1:1 stoichiometric ratio. The complex formation between PAC4 and Cu(II) has also been confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopy and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA).     

An Interesting Approach to Bis-calix[5]arene Analogue from Calix[6]arene

Calix [n] arenas {n = 4, 6 or 8} are easily prepared from formaldehyde and para-substituted phenols via cyclic condensation under alkaline conditions in one step. It is not surprising that the calyx [n] arene (n = 4, 6, 8) chemistry has been developing very rapidly during the latest 20 years1. However, it is not the case for calixarenes with odd benzene rings (for example, n = 5). The yield of p-tert-butylcalix [5] arene synthesized in one-step from p-tert-butylphenol and formaldehyde was a…     

Kinetics of americium and europium extraction by tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene from alkaline media

Kinetics of ¹⁵²Eu and ²⁴¹Am extraction by nitrogen-bearing alkyl amino phenol oligomer YaRB and tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene TCA from carbonate-alkaline media was studied. Both extractants efficiently extract americium and europium in pH interval 12–14. The maximum of americium extraction is located at the lower values of pH, compared with europium. YaRB extracts americium and europium faster than TCA, and at the same time, americium is extracted faster than europium by both extractants. In general, thiacalixarene TCA is regarded as more efficient extractant than alkyl amino phenol oligomer YaRB.

     

Cyclodextrin/silica hybrid adsorbent for removal of methylene blue in aqueous media

Functionalization of a silica surface using cyclodextrin was performed using citric acid as a bonding agent. The material obtained was characterized using spectroscopic, X-ray, and thermogravimetric analyses. The effectiveness of the product for removal of dyes from aqueous media was evaluated using methylene blue as a model molecule, for which the best adsorption was achieved at pH values higher than 3.5. The correlation coefficients obtained using the Langmuir isotherm enabled elucidation of the adsorption mechanism. The maximum capacity of the nano-adsorbent for adsorption of the dye was 212 mg g^?1. Thermodynamic tests performed at 25, 35, and 45 °C showed that the mechanism was spontaneous and temperature-dependent, with adsorption following the pseudo-second order kinetic model and being fastest during the early stages, with equilibrium achieved after around 3 h. The results showed that hybrid materials based on cyclodextrin can be used for removal of dyes from aqueous media, and could therefore substitute other more expensive adsorbents. Advantages of these new materials include ease of preparation, relatively low cost, and good adsorption properties.     

New oxacalix[4]arene carboxylate detects viologen in protic media

ABSTRACT

We demonstrate that Ullman fragment-coupling can be used to synthesise an oxacalix[4]arene monocarboxylic acid, which provides easy access to its water-soluble carboxylato derivatives. Crystallographic and computational data suggest that the new carboxyl-substituted oxacalix[4]arene adopts a 1,3-alternate conformation both in the solid-state and in methanol solution. Its water-soluble tetrabutylammonium derivate can detect the herbicide paraquat at neutral pH in aqueous media (K _a = 111 ± 3 M^–1) and in methanol (K _a = 2020 ± 70 M^–1).