Review of adsorbents incorporating calixarene derivatives used for metals recovery and hazardous ions removal: the concept of adsorbent design and classification of adsorbents

Abstract

Macrocyclic calixarene compounds exhibit versatile properties, which have been employed for the complexation, extraction, and transport of various metal ions. However, the potential applications of calixarenes are not straightforward. This review includes the “structural effects” of calixarene derivatives and the concept of adsorbent design incorporating calixarene derivatives after a brief introduction on the molecular design of calixarene derivatives used as extraction reagents. The adsorbents incorporating calixarene moieties are classified into four types and examples of metal adsorption using a variety of adsorbents are also introduced.