SURVEYING THE EXTRACTION OF CESIUM NITRATE BY 1,3-ALTERNATE CALIX[4]ARENE CROWN-6 ETHERS IN 1,2-DICHLOROETHANE

The extraction of cesium nitrate from a mixture of alkali metal nitrates by calix[4]arene crown-6 ethers in 1,2-dichloroethane diluent has been surveyed at 25 °C. The results reveal that smaller substituents (but larger than C2) at the phenolic positions of the calixarene opposite the crown ether increase both the extraction efficiency and the cesium selectivity. Benzo substituents on the crown ether tend to decrease extraction strength while increasing cesium-to-sodium selectivity. Conversely, a cyclohexano group on the crown ether has a negative impact on both extraction strength and selectivity.