Selective extraction of Fe3+ by a polymeric calix[4]arene

A polymeric compound containing more than one calixarene molecule was synthesized by reacting the oligomer ( 2 ) with 25,26,27-tribenzoyloxy-28-hydroxy calix[4]arene. After basic hydrolysis of 3a , the polymeric calixarene ( 3b ) was utilized for selective extraction of some metal cations from aqueous phase to organic phase. It was found that the compound ( 3b ) was selective toward Fe³⁺ from an aqueous solution containing Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Co²⁺ and Fe³⁺ cations. The mechanism of the extraction process was discussed. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.