Lipophilic, Mono-ionizable, Calix[4]arene-bis(benzocrown-6) Compounds for Solvent Extraction of Cesium from Nuclear Wastes: Synthesis and Evaluation

Hui Zhou, Kathryn E. Connery, Richard A. Bartsch, Bruce A. Moyer, Tamara J. Haverlock, Lætitia H. Delmau

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

As potential radiocesium extractants from nuclear waste solutions, a series of lipophilic, proton-ionizable calix[4]arene-bis(benzocrown-6) compounds with their calixarene units locked in the 1,3-alternate conformation was prepared. In these ligands, the acidic side arm is positioned over one crown ether cavity to enhance metal ion extraction. Upon ionization of the acidic group, the ligand provides the requisite anion for electroneutral extraction complex formation. To enhance the lipophilicity of the extractants, a 2-ethylhexyl group was attached to the benzo group of each crown ether fragment. Using radiotracer techniques and ICAP spectrometry, the ligands were evaluated in terms of the efficiency and selectivity with which they extract Cs+ from aqueous solutions into chloroform.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)683-696
Number of pages14
JournalSolvent Extraction and Ion Exchange
Volume31
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2013

Funding

This research was supported at Texas Tech University by a grant to RAB from the Office of Biological and Environmental Research of the U.S. Department of Energy (Grant Number FG02-03ER63676) and at ORNL by the U.S. Department of Energy through the Environmental Management Science Program, Office of Science. NSF CRIF MU grant CHE-1048553 was utilized to purchase the NMR spectrometer at TTU.

Keywords

  • Calix[4]arenes
  • alkali metal cation extraction
  • calixcrown ethers
  • lipophilic groups
  • proton-ionizable groups

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