Palladium(II) extraction by sulfur-containing calix[4,6]arenes from hydrochloric acid solutions

Abstract

The comparison of the extraction properties of calixarenes, thiacalixarenes, and calix[4,6]arene thioethers showed that methyl(thiamethyl)calix[4,6]arenes 3a and 4a have the highest extraction abilities. These extractants rapidly and completely extract palladium from hydrochloric acid solutions; regarding distribution factors achieved in the kinetic mode, they three to four orders of magnitude exceed their monodentate analogue, octylbenzyl sulfide (OBnS). Approaches are considered to enhance palladium extraction via generating mixed palladium species in low-acidity solutions and via intramolecular catalysis by the protonated oxygen atoms of alkoxy groups in the lower rim. For 1 M HCl, the kinetic order of diluent effects on palladium extraction was established. The substitution of sulfur atoms for bridging CH2 groups was discovered to enhance palladium extraction by calix[4]arene thioether 3c.