The synthesis of novel polysiloxanes with pendant hand-basket type calix[6]crowns and their transporting properties for metal ions in a liquid membrane

Two novel polysiloxanes with pendant hand-basket type calix[6]-1,3-crown-3 and calix[6]-1,4-crown-4 were prepared by hydrosilylation of p-tert-butylcalix[6]-(2′-allyloxymethyl)-1,3-crown-3 (CA[6]C3) and p-tert-butylcalix[6]-[2′-(ω″-undecenyloxymethyl)]-1,4-crown-4 (CA[6]C4) followed by condensation reaction with silanol-terminated polydimethylsiloxane. The monomeric calix[6]crowns and two calix[6]crown-based polysiloxanes were used as carriers in a bulk membrane. All carriers showed the transport rate of the cations decreased in the order Li⁺ < Na⁺ < K⁺. The flux of K⁺ for the monomeric calix[6]crown was higher than that for polymeric carrier. In comparison with other carriers, the transport rate of calix[6]crown-4-functionalized polysiloxanes (CA[6]C4PS) towards cesium ions were increased greatly. Competitive transport experiments known to be more useful in industrial fields also revealed to give high cesium transfer rate.