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'-(omega ''-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. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.