Allosteric coextraction of sodium and metal ions with calix[4]arene derivatives 2: First numerical evaluation for the allosteric effect on alkali metal extraction with crossed carboxylic acid type calix[4]arenes

Crossed carboxylic acid types of calix[4]arene derivatives with two longer carboxylic acids and two acetic acids at the distal position have been prepared to investigate the solvent extraction of three alkali metal ions in individual and competitive systems. These extractants selectively extracted sodium ions among other alkali ions at low pH, and the first extracted sodium ion acted as a “trigger” causing a change in extraction ability and metal selectivity. Spacer groups with different lengths induced significant differences in the extraction behavior. The extraction equilibrium constants, Kex1 and Kex2, between the present cyclic tetramers and the extracted two alkali metal ions were estimated in order to obtain a numerical evaluation of the allosteric effect.