Complexation and extraction behavior of trivalent indium with multiple proton ionizable p–t-butylcalix[5]arene pentacaarboxylic acid derivative: a new efficient solvent extraction reagent for indium

Abstract

Complexation behavior of plural ion-exchangeable p–t-butylcalix[5]arene pentacarboxylic acid derivative towards trivalent indium has been investigated along with its monomeric analog from weakly acidic media into chloroform. The cyclic structure of calixarene ligand providing certain cavity and cooperativity of functional groups significantly affect the complexation behavior and calixarene derivative is an excellent extractant over monomeric analog. The extraction mechanism is ion exchange and carboxylic acid groups are adequate functional sites for extraction. Mononuclear and/or polynuclear species of indium and monomeric or bridged dimeric species of calixarene are involved in complexation and the composition of extracted complex varied with solution pH. One mole of calix[5]arene derivative tend to extract 3.5 mol of indium. The loaded indium was quantitatively back extracted with 1 mol dm−3 hydrochloric acid solution.