Functionalized calixarenes as transporters through liquid membrane

Abstract

Calixarenes have attracted considerable interest in the growing field of supramolecular chemistry. By their availability and easily functionalization at either the upper or lower rim of the molecular skeleton among potential building blocks, calixarenes have become attractive receptors, versatile molecular scaffolds for self-assembling system such as molecular capsule and well-defined functional nanostructures. Their ability to encapsulate the biological compounds such as amines, amino acids or peptides recommends them as biomimetic receptors for separation processes. In the present contribution, we have reported aspects of complex formation, solvent extraction, and transport through liquid membrane of amino acids by calix[n]arene derivatives. The complexation properties of calix[n]arenes towards amino acids have been evaluated by calorimetric titration and UV Vis spectrometry. The effects of physicochemical parameters that may influence the separation of amino acids by extraction process, and the transport through liquid membrane using calix[n]arenes as carriers have been investigated.