Dominant factors affecting extraction behavior of amino compounds by a calix[6]arene carboxylic acid derivative

A calix[6]arene carboxylic acid derivative was utilized as an extractant for various amino compounds including amino acids. The host compound exhibited a high extractability compared to that of commercially available extractants such as di(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid (D2EHPA). The important factors for amino acid extraction were found to be its cyclic structure and its cavity size, the functional carboxylic groups, and the length of the alkyl chains. The hydrophobicity and the ionic property of guest molecules also affect the extraction efficiency. Calix[6]arene forms a stable complex with a guest molecule by entrapping it into the cavity. The molecular geometries of calixarene before and after extraction were also discussed using computational calculations with the PM3 type of semi-empirical method.