Extraction of Pb2+ with p-tert-butylcalix [4]-, [5]-, [6]Arene Carboxylic Acid Ligands and their Monomeric Counterpart: A Thermodynamic Approach

Studies on extraction equilibrium constants at different temperatures and thermodynamic parameters of solvent extraction of Pb²⁺ ion with carboxylic acid derivatives of different ring size calixarenes and structure related monomeric compound have been carried out. The extraction equilibrium constants corresponding to calixn]arene (n?=?4, 5, 6) derivatives decrease in the order 5]arene > 6]arene > 4]arene. In all cases, the complexation process is primarily enthalpy driven. The favorable enthalpic contribution for extraction of Pb²⁺ is in the order hexamer ≈ monomer > tetramer > pentamer. However, the unfavorable entropic loss follows the order: monomer > hexamer > tetramer > pentamer. Overall stability of the host-guest complex is the function of entropy-enthalpy compensation and the free energy of complexation is minimum for the pentamer, followed by tetramer ≈ hexamer and monomer. Although the carboxylic acid derivative of calix4]arene is more preorganized than the calix5]arene derivative, extraction of Pb²⁺ ion with the tetramer passes through greater entropic loss than that with the pentamer and the degree of preorganization of calix4]arene derivative is far from perfect for the complexation and extraction of Pb²⁺ ion. As compared to tetrameric and hexameric counterparts, the structural features of the carboxylic acid derivative of calix5]arene prior to complexation contribute much to interact with the Pb²⁺ ion and form a thermodynamically stable complex. Supplementary materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Solvent Extraction and Ion Exchange to view the supplemental file.