Synthesis and dyes adsorption properties of calix[4]crown-grafted chitosan chelating polymer

Synthesis of a new chitosan-p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene polymer as adsorbent for toxic mercury ion

In this paper, we have synthesized a novel chitosan-p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene polymer (CCP) as a highly efficient adsorbent for mercury ion (Hg²⁺) removal from water. In fact, a lower rim diamine derivative of p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene has been cross-linked with chitosan chain by carbonyl diimidazole (CDI) as the linker. CDI forms a urea linkage between calix[4]arene diamine derivative and amine groups of the chitosan polymeric chain. The structure and properties of the new polymer were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope. Also, the adsorption capacity of CCP was studied towards Hg²⁺ in aqueous medium by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry. Interestingly, the results showed a considerable adsorption capacity for CCP in comparison with chitosan. Therefore, CCP can be introduced as a promising adsorbent for the elimination of Hg²⁺ from wastewaters. Moreover, because of the conformity of adsorption kinetic with pseudo-second-order kinetic models, it can be concluded that chemical adsorption has an important role between functional groups on CCP polymer and Hg²⁺ ions. In addition, according to Freundlich isotherm, the CCP surface was heterogeneous with different functional groups.

Recent progress to construct calixarene-based polymers using covalent bonds: synthesis and applications

The combination of supramolecular chemistry and polymer sciences creates a great possibility to afford calixarene-based polymers offering unique features and applications. The enhancement of calixarene's versatility in this manner has made chemists better able to achieve different objectives in host-guest chemistry. The calixarene-based polymers can be divided into covalent polymers and supramolecular polymers regarding the interactions. Although there are several studies available on the calixarene-based supramolecular polymers, there is a paucity of studies on the calixarene-based covalent polymers. In this paper, the most recent developments and applications of the calixarene-based covalent polymers in the last two decades have been reviewed. We have particularly focused on the polymers, including those where the calixarene molecules have been used as macromonomers and polymerize through covalent bonds. Moreover, covalent polymers or solid supports functionalized with calixarenes are highlighted as well.