Water-organic Solvent Mixtures Research Articles

Ionic surfactants critical micelle concentration prediction in water/organic solvent mixtures by artificial neural network

Abstract Critical micellar concentration (CMC) is a key physicochemical property of surfactants used to study their behaviour. This property is affected by factors such as temperature, pressure, pH, the type of organic solvent/water mixture, the chemical structure of the surfactants and the presence of electrolytes. Most of the existing studies in the literature have predicted the CMC under fixed conditions based on the chemical parameters of the surfactant. In this study, a machine learning approach using artificial neural network (ANN) models was used to estimate the CMC of some ionic surfactants. These models considered variables defining both the organic solvent-water mixture (T, molecular weight, molar fraction and log P) and the chemical structure of the surfactant (number of atoms of each element). A database consisting of a total of 258 CMC values for 10 ionic surfactants was collected from the literature. The ANN architecture consisting of an input layer with 12 neurons, an intermediate layer with 25 neurons and one neuron in the output layer is proposed. According to the results, the normalized ANN models provided the best statistical adjustments for the CMC prediction. These ANN models could be a promising method for CMC estimation.

Raman Microscopic Investigation of Organic Solvent Concentration Profiles in Proton Exchange Membranes and Their Permeability

Direct alcohol fuel cells (DAFCs) suffer from severe problems related to the employed polymer electrolyte membranes, such as fuel crossover, resulting in low faradaic efficiency and performance of the fuel cell.1,2,3 We introduce a 3D-printed diffusion cell setup, which is capable of determining the interaction of membranes and organic solvents via confocal Raman microscopy.4 Thus, the suitability of proton exchange membranes (PEMs) for usage in DAFCs can be evaluated. In this setup, the membrane is clamped between two flow channels, similar to the flow field plates of a fuel cell. The donor channel is filled with an organic solvent-water mixture, and the receptor channel is filled with water. Depth scans through the membrane and the two flow channels provide concentration profiles of the organic solvent within the membrane, which are used to calculate membrane properties such as permeability and sorption coefficient (see Fig. 1).In this study, the membrane-solvent interactions between standard unreinforced and composite PEMs and various organic solvent solutions, such as 2-propanol, acetone, and ethanol, are investigated. All membranes analyzed show a preference for organic solvent absorption from 1 M solutions, with sorption coefficients ranging from 2.5 to 3.0. In addition to the absorption, the organic solvents permeate through the membrane. The corresponding permeabilities range from 10-5 to 10-4 cm² s-1. However, the permeabilities of the membranes for different solvents do not scale with their sorption coefficients, in contrast to the membrane swelling.This diffusion cell setup is an accessible and fast pre-screening method, which can enhance the development and evaluation of new ion exchange membranes for use in DAFCs and related applications.

A combined experimental and computational approach for the rationalization of the catalytic activity of lipase B from Candida antarctica in water–organic solvent mixtures

AbstractBackgroundThe addition of organic solvents to an aqueous medium for enzymatic reactions offers several advantages, as they can increase the solubility of substrates but can also lead to enzyme inactivation and/or aggregation.ResultsThe effect of adding 30% of several water‐soluble organic solvents on the catalytic activity of lipase B from Candida antarctica (CalB) was studied and the results showed that the highest activity was obtained with the addition of t‐butanol. t‐Butanol and acetonitrile were selected and the kinetic parameters, determined to deepen their effect on CalB activity, showed that the addition of acetonitrile improved the enzyme–substrate affinity, while water–t‐butanol mixtures led to a more than ninefold increase in kcat. To rationalize at a molecular level the kinetic results, molecular dynamic simulations were performed. Analysis of the accessibility of the active‐site cavity, solvent occupancy in the site and in the oxyanion hole, and the stability of the catalytic triad in the two solvent mixtures, provided insight into their effects on the catalytic properties of CalB.ConclusionThe lower occupancy in the oxyanion hole of water molecules and a shorter residence time in the active site of acetonitrile molecules in the acetonitrile–water mixture contribute to the higher enzyme–substrate affinity found experimentally. Conversely, the higher kcat in the t‐butanol mixture is explained by the higher stability of the catalytic triad and by an increase in the nucleophilicity of the catalytic serine due to the persistent presence of t‐butanol molecules in the active site. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).

Hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography with methanol-water eluent on a zeolite

BackgroundHydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC) works with organic solvent-water mixtures as eluent and is based on the formation of a water enriched liquid phase on the surface of a hydrophilic stationary phase. Hydrophilic solutes are retained on that stagnant water-rich film depending on the difference of solvation compared to the mobile phase composition. However, the enhancement of selectivity by increasing the fraction of organic cosolvent is coupled with a limitation the analyte solubility, and the improvement of the HILIC principle by new hydrophilic stationary phases is the remaining option. ResultsY-zeolite (faujasite, FAU type) in the Na+-form with an average particle diameter of 5 μm was used as packing material in a 125 mm long HPLC column. The chromatographic response of the column was tested in methanol-water mixtures as eluent after injection of several aliphatic alcohols, polyols and monosaccharides with eluent conditions where no separation occurs on diol functionalized silica. On the zeolite the retention time increases according to ethylene glycol < glycerol < erythritol < sorbitol < inositol. The separation principle is explained to be superposed by two effects: firstly, a partition equilibrium between the water-rich phase in the zeolite micropores exists, and secondly, selective interactions with the inner crystalline pore surface and fixed-position Na+ ions, both serving to enhance the selectivity. Furthermore, arabinose and fructose monosaccharides could be separated into their tautomeric forms. Only upon increasing the temperature from 20 to 60 °C the tautomeric pattern merges into a single peak. Significance and noveltyInstead of the stagnant water rich surface layer, zeolite micropores now take over that function. As a result, the selectivity among polyols and between α/β-arabinopyranose and β-fructopyranose/β-fructofuranose tautomers is extraordinary superior towards conventional hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC).

Coordination Structure of Samarium Diiodide in a Tetrahydrofuran-Water Mixture.

Chemoselective reductive conversion of organic and inorganic compounds has been developed by the combination of samarium(II) diiodide (SmI2) and water. Despite the extensive previous studies to elucidate the role of water in the reactivity of SmI2, the direct structural data of the reactive Sm2+-water complexes, SmI2(H2O)n, in an organic solvent-water mixture have not been reported experimentally so far. Herein, we performed the structure analysis of the Sm2+-water complex in tetrahydrofuran (THF) in the presence of water by in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy using high-energy X-rays (Sm K-edge, 46.8 keV). The analysis revealed the dissociation of the Sm2+-I bonds in the presence of ≥ eight equivalents of water in the THF-water mixture. The origin of the peak shift in the UV/visible absorption spectra after the addition of water into SmI2/THF solution was proposed based on electron transitions simulated with time-dependent density-functional-theory calculations using optimized structures in THF or water. The obtained structural information provides the fundamental insights for elucidating the reactivity and chemoselectivity in the Sm2+-water complex system.

Organic solvent reverse osmosis (OSRO) for the recovery of hemicellulosic derivatives after wood-pulping with a deep eutectic solvent

This work investigates the recovery of a deep eutectic solvent (DES) used for pulping wood, by removing remnant hemicellulosic derivatives using reverse osmosis (RO). Xylose and its dehydration product furfural are considered representative hemicellulosic derivatives, and a lactic acid-choline chloride DES was used. Various diluting solvents were considered for the RO feed, namely pure water and binary water-organic solvent (ethanol, acetone, and methanol) mixtures. The results in this work show that the xylose rejection is high in water as well as in the presence of organic solvents such as acetone (with 97% rejection in aqueous acetone solvent and 95% in pure water using the RO membrane). On the other hand, furfural is rejected poorly by the RO membrane in all media (below 60% in all solvents). Finally, based on these results, a separation scheme was proposed to attain a complete mass recovery of each component of this mixture.

Ternary water–organic solvent mixtures used for insecticide SPE extraction and analysis with acetylcholinesterase biosensor

Few biosensors are reported for usage in combination with the organic solvent due to their negative impact on the enzymes. The usage of ternary water–organic solvent mixtures in combination with acetylcholinesterase biosensors allows to increase the useable total content of organic solvents with minimum negative effects to a higher content in comparison with a single organic solvent in water. The combination of acetonitrile/ethanol/water has a smaller negative effect on both enzyme activity and inhibition by insecticides in comparison with acetonitrile/methanol/water mixtures. The insecticides were eluted from solid-phase extraction (SPE) columns with a binary mixture of organic solvents acetonitrile/ethanol in 1/3 ratio and subsequently analysed with an acetylcholinesterase biosensor and the optimum total content of organic solvents of 12%. The analytical method allows the analysis of complex samples with improved selectivity and at improved limits of detection for chlorpyrifos-oxon and carbofuran analysis in river waters and soil samples. The usage of mixtures of organic solvents in combination with enzymes is an interesting approach that allows working with a higher total content of organic solvents than each individual solvent.

Highly hydrophobic and superoleophilic agar/PVA aerogels for selective removal of oily substances from water

In this study, low-cost, environmentally friendly and porous agar/PVA aerogel sorbent materials with highly hydrophobic property were fabricated for the selective separation of oily substances and organic solvents from water by (i) the cross-linking reaction, (ii) freeze drying process and (iii) surface coating treatment. The characterization of agar/PVA aerogels was performed by water solubility, contact angle, SEM, EDX, mapping and XPS measurements. SEM and porosity results revealed that the increase of PVA amount within aerogel matrix led to a decrease in the pore structure of aerogel material. Agar/PVA (100:0) aerogel had good absorption capacity values (19.0–48.1 g·g−1) for various oily substances and organic solvents. All aerogels had excellent separation efficiency (≥99.3%) for chloroform-water mixture. For chloroform-water mixture and emulsion, the flux value of agar/PVA (100:0) aerogel was found to be 4273 L·m−2·h−1 and 3094 L·m−2·h−1, respectively. New agar/PVA aerogels are promising materials for the effective separation of oil-water or organic solvent-water mixtures and the cleaning of oil-spills from water.

A comparative theoretical study on the solvent dependency of anthocyanin extraction profiles

Anthocyanidins and anthocyanins are flavonoids with nutritional, antioxidative and color properties that are present in various food products and biomass, such as food waste. The large chemical diversity amongst these molecules potentially leads to different affinities or activities in food and non-food applications. In order to characterize the extraction profile, advanced analytical techniques along with optimized separation procedures are required. Alternatively, theoretical tools can be applied for predicting the solubility or binding affinity of molecules in various reaction media. In this paper, the solubility of anthocyanidins and anthocyanins was analyzed by various theoretical tools such as group contribution methods (e.g., Hansen solubility parameters and Flory-Huggins interaction parameter (χ12)) and molecular modeling (e.g., static calculations based on Density Functional Theory (DFT) and COSMO-RS). It was found that COSMO-RS was able to give quantitative information on the solubility behavior within various pure solvents and it is able to describe the main intermolecular interactions between colorant and solvent, while Hansen solubility parameters were most appropriate to find the most optimal organic solvent–water mixture ratio. In general, solvents with electron-rich aromatic rings and/or containing electron donors, acting as hydrogen bond acceptors, showed the highest solubilizing power for anthocyanidins and anthocyanins.

Reactions of methyl, hydroxyl and peroxyl radicals with the DOTA chelating agent used in medical imaging

The mechanism of reaction of DOTA (1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid) with ·CH3, CH3O2· and ·OH radicals were studied. The radicals were formed in situ radiolytically. The methyl radicals react orders of magnitude slower with DOTA and with MIII(DOTA)- than the hydroxyl radicals. The various final products were identified and mechanisms for their formation are proposed. CH3O2· radicals do not react, or react too slowly to be observed, with DOTA and with MIII(DOTA)- as long as the central cation is not oxidized by the peroxyl radical. The results imply that synthesis of the MIII(DOTA)-(MIII = radioisotope) complexes in a water-organic solvent (ethanol or 2-propanol or acetonitrile) mixture is not only kinetically desired but the so formed complex also decreases the radiolytic decomposition of DOTA.

Effect of Organic Solvents on the Structure and Activity of a Minimal Lipase.

Lipases are ubiquitously used in chemo-enzymatic synthesis and industrial applications. Nevertheless, the modulation of the activity of lipases by organic solvents still is not fully understood at the molecular level. We systematically investigated the activity and structure of lipase A from Bacillus subtilis in binary water-organic solvent mixtures of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), acetonitrile (ACN), and isopropyl alcohol (IPA) using activity assays, fluorescence spectroscopy, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and FRET/MD analysis. The enzymatic activity strongly depended on the type and amount of organic solvent in the reaction media. Whereas IPA and ACN reduced the activity of the enzyme, small concentrations of DMSO led to lipase activation via an uncompetitive mechanism. DMSO molecules did not directly interfere with the binding of the substrate in the active site, contrary to what is known for other solvents and enzymes. We propose that the His156-Asp133 interaction, the binding of organic molecules to the active site, and the water accessibility of the substrate are key factors modulating the catalytic activity. Furthermore, we rationalized the role of solvent descriptors on the regulation of enzymatic activity in mixtures with low concentrations of the organic molecule, with prospective implications for the optimization of biocatalytic processes via solvent tuning.

Phenolic Composition of Dipteryx alata Vogel Pulp + Peel and Its Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Properties

Dipteryx alata Vogel is a native fruit from Brazil, which has been poorly investigated concerning its phenolic composition and the biological effects of its pulp + peel. Thus, in this study we evaluated the antioxidant activity and total phenolic content of the D. alata pulp + peel extracts obtained with different solvents, as well as determined the phenolic compounds by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) analysis. In addition, cytotoxic effects of D. alata pulp + peel extract on non-tumor and cancer cell lines were investigated for the first time. The results showed that phenolic compounds can be efficiently extracted from pulp + peel of D. alata by organic solvent-water mixtures as an extraction system. The developed UHPLC-MS/MS method allowed the quantification of eighteen phenolic compounds in D. alata pulp + peel extract for the first time, which luteolin and trans-cinnamic acid were predominant. In addition, D. alata pulp + peel extract exhibited better cytotoxity against SiHa and C33A cervical cancer cell lines, while weak cytotoxicity was noticed against non-tumor HaCaT and L929 cell lines, pointing out its safety and providing preliminary evidence of its anticancer potential. Our findings indicate that D. alata pulp + peel can be explored as a natural source of phenolic compounds with promising antioxidant and cytotoxic properties.

Synthesis, characterization, and investigation of photochemical properties of tetra-substituted zinc phthalocyanines bearing 4-(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)phenyl moiety with different linker heteroatoms

A novel 4-((3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)phenylthio)phthalonitrile 3 and corresponding zinc phthalocyanine 5 has been synthesized and characterized. There has been investigated the effect of nature of the linker heteroatom (S or O) on spectroscopic, photophysical and photochemical properties of zinc phthalocyanine 5 and zinc phthalocyanine 6, containing 4-(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)phenoxy moiety. The zinc phthalocyanines 5 and 6 are highly soluble in common organic solvents. The solvatochromic effects were evaluated by changes in UV–Vis spectra. A correlation between the Q band frequency and the refractive index of 20 organic solvents was examined. The aggregation behavior and photochemical properties (quantum yields singlet oxygen generation and photodegradation) of zinc phthalocyanines were investigated at different concentrations in DMSO, DMF, THF and water-organic solvents mixtures. The water content in the mixture has a crucial effect on the aggregation behavior and the generation of singlet oxygen. In DMSO aggregation of 5 takes place with the addition of any amount of water, whereas for 6 the formation of dimers is observed at a water concentration of more than 10%. However, in THF the formation of aggregates is observed at a water concentration above 30% for 5 and 50% for 6. The synthesized novel phthalocyanines have high quantum yield of singlet oxygen (ΦΔ) values (the range of 0.50–0.70) and can be considered as potential photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy. The highest ΦΔ values were obtained for zinc phthalocyanine 6 containing oxygen linker heteroatom in all solvents.

Catalytic hydrogen evolution and semihydrogenation of organic compounds using silicotungstic acid as an electron-coupled-proton buffer in water-organic solvent mixtures

H2 and O2 were produced at separate times from water electrolysis by using silicotungstic acid as an electron-coupled-proton buffer. It was found that the redox property of silicotungstic acid in water could be regulate by the introduction of organic solvents (acetonitrile, DMF and ethanol). The redox wave of silicotungstic acid at ∼0.02 V vs. RHE moved in the negative direction, which was good for the production of hydrogen. A high yield of hydrogen (∼85%) was obtained in a water-ethanol system (V/V = 1:1), which was higher than that in water (∼45%). And the introduction of ethanol didn’t affect the rate of hydrogen evolution. Moreover, the semihydrogenation of organic compounds could be achieved in the present system under mild conditions. The conversion of phenylacetylene and acetophenone are 97% and 80% under optimum reaction conditions, while the selectivity of styrene and 1-phenylethanol are 80% and 82%, respectively.

Understanding the Effects of Ethylene Glycol-Assisted Biomass Fractionation Parameters on Lignin Characteristics Using a Full Factorial Design and Computational Modeling.

Contributing to recent lignin valorization efforts, this study uses an integrative approach to explore the effects of fractionation parameters on lignin characteristics. The following reaction parameters are explored: water content of the water–organic solvent mixture, reaction temperature, and sulfuric acid content. Ethylene glycol (EG) was selected as the fractionation solvent because of its promising lignin solubility and extractability. This study takes a novel approach in conducting EG-assisted biomass fractionation; instead of removing lignin from the biomass, lignin was extracted and characterized. Lignin characteristics involving recovery and linkages were analyzed. A maximum of 27 wt % lignin recovery was achieved at a low water content (25%) and high reaction temperature (180 °C) in the presence of sulfuric acid (1 wt %). From NMR analysis, aryl–ether linkages, which are important to preserve for lignin valorization, were decomposed as a result of relatively high temperature and the presence of sulfuric acid. Statistical analysis showed that all individual parameters and their interactions had significant effects on lignin recovery. Computational analysis revealed that hydrogen bonding between the EG and lignin macromolecules greatly decreased with an increasing amount of water.

Stable Isotope Probing of Microbial Phospholipid Fatty Acids in Environmental Samples.

Phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) extracted from environmental samples describe the microbial community pattern and are sensitive to monitor and quantify shifts in the microbial community. Linkage with the stable isotope technique adds a functional perspective and is frequently used to quantify carbon turnover in microbial communities and detect physiological changes. Here we present a PLFA extraction method by using an organic solvent water mixture, followed by lipid separation based on solid-phase extraction and an alkaline methylation. Finally, we provide a protocol for the carbon stable isotope measurements of the extracted fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) by gas chromatograph-isotope ratio mass spectrometer (GC-IRMS) and calculation of concentration and δ13CVPDB values.

Sparassis crispa exerts anti-inflammatory activity via suppression of TLR-mediated NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways in LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophage cells

Ethnopharmacology relevanceSparassis crispa, also known as cauliflower mushroom, has been used historically in traditional Asian medicine. It possesses various biological activities, such as immunopotentiation, anti-diabetes, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory effects. Recently, we isolated the non-aqueous fraction from methanol extract of S. crispa (SCF4) by using water-organic solvent mixtures and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In the present study, we identified the anti-inflammatory activity and action mechanism of SCF4 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 murine macrophage cells. Materials and methodsThe chloroform layer isolated from S. crispa methanol extract was separated into seven fractions using preparative HPLC. The fractions were then applied to NO assay to identify the fraction with the best anti-inflammatory activity. The inflammation inhibitory effect and underlying mechanism of SCF4 in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells were assessed using WST-1 assay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), ROS assay, and Western blot analysis. ResultsSCF4 significantly suppressed LPS-induced production of pro-inflammatory mediators, such as nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)− 6, and IL-1β, without cytotoxicity. In addition, SCF4 downregulated not only the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), but also the activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) stimulated by LPS. SCF4 also blocked the nuclear translocation of NF-κB via reduction of inhibitor of κB alpha (IκBα) degradation. Furthermore, SCF4 inhibited the phosphorylation of transforming growth factor beta-activated kinase 1 (TAK1), an important upstream factor of NF-κB and MAPK signaling mediated through toll-like receptor (TLR). ConclusionsThese findings demonstrate for the first time the correlation between the anti-inflammatory activity of SCF4 and TLR-mediated NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells, suggesting that the non-aqueous extract of S. crispa could be applied as a promising natural product for the prevention and treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Solubility and Thermodynamic Properties of A Hexanediamine Derivative in Pure Organic Solvents and Nonaqueous Solvent Mixtures

The solubility of N,N′-Bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidinyl)-1,6-hexanediamine in seven pure solvents (acetonitrile, acetone, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, propyl acetate, isopropyl acetate and isobutyl acetate) and two binary solvent mixtures (acetone + acetonitrile and methyl acetate + acetonitrile) were measured from 273.15 to 303.15 K at atmospheric pressure by a dynamic method. The solubility data in these pure solvents were correlated by the modified Apelblat model, the Wilson model and the NRTL model, and that in the binary solvents mixture were fitted to the CNIBS/R–K model and the NRTL model. Furthermore, the mixing thermodynamic properties in pure and binary solvent systems were calculated and are discussed, based on the NRTL model. Finally, the applicability of the model of Zhang et al. (Ind Eng Chem Res 51:6933–6938, 2012) in correlating solubility data versus dielectric constant was extended from organic solvent–water mixtures to pure organic solvents and nonaqueous organic solvent mixtures. It was found that the dissolution behavior of a compound in the binary solvent mixtures can be predicted to some extent from those in pure solvents.

Excited-state prototropism of 7-hydroxy-4-methylcoumarin in [Cnmim][BF4] series of ionic liquid-water mixtures: insights on reverse micelle-like water nanocluster formation.

This study explores the excited state prototropic behavior of the fluorophore, 7-hydroxy-4-methylcoumarin (7H4MC), in the [Cnmim][BF4] (n = 2, 4, 6, 8, 10) series of ionic liquid (IL)-water mixtures at low water contents. In pure IL media, 7H4MC exists in the neutral form in both ground and excited states. However, on addition of water to the ILs, the excited neutral form of the dye is gradually converted to the anionic and the tautomeric species, leading to characteristic changes in the emission spectra. The similarity in the spectral features of 7H4MC in the IL-water system with that in a conventional reverse micelle system rather than with organic solvent-water mixtures, suggests that in the presence of water, the ILs are organized into reverse micelle-like structures with the consequent formation of confined water pockets. The results further suggest that formation of water nanoclusters and the ensuing changes in excited state prototropic behavior of the dye, is facilitated by increase in the alkyl chain length of the IL cation. These propositions are supported by time-resolved fluorescence studies. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report on proton transfer reaction in IL-water mixtures at low water contents. Considering that ILs are useful as solvents and surfactants, and IL-water mixtures in particular have applications in chemical extractions and biocatalysis, an understanding of the structural organization and water pool formation in these systems is quite important. The insights obtained from the prototropic transformations of 7H4MC are significant not only for fundamental self-assembly studies, but also for the development of ILs as chemical reaction media.

Star PEG-based amphiphilic polymers: synthesis, characterization and swelling behaviors

This paper describes the preparation, characterization and application of pentaerythritol ethoxylate-based crosslinked polymers as sorbent materials for a variety of liquids. A bulk polymerization method has been employed to produce amphiphilic polymeric sorbents in a solvent-free medium at moderately high temperature that does not require any initiator, catalyst or an activator. The morphological, structural and thermal properties of amphiphilic polymeric sorbents were determined by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, 13C and 29Si CPMAS nuclear magnetic resonance, scanning electron microscope and thermal gravimetric analysis. Having hydrophobic and hydrophilic portions in the polymeric structure, the obtained sorbents have affinity toward both water and organic liquids. The effect of molecular weight of monomers on absorption ability was examined via swelling test. The swelling ability in binary mixtures was also studied to determine the absorption capacity of polymers in organic solvent–water mixtures. Absorption studies, absorption–desorption kinetics and reusability tests were also operated, and the experimental outcomes showed that the obtained polymers have high and quick absorption abilities and also can be reusable with no capacity loss in oils.