Synthesis and characterization of calix[4]arene-based copolyethers and polyurethanes. Ionophoric properties and extraction abilities towards metal cations of polymeric calix[4]arene urethanes

Copolyethers and polyurethanes containing lower and upper rim calix[4]arene units in the fixed cone conformation were prepared in good yield by polycondensation reactions of distal calix[4]arene diols with bisphenol-A/dibromomethane and 2,4-tolylendiisocyanate (TDI), respectively. In a similar way were prepared calix[4]arene-crown-5 and -crown-6 polyurethanes in the fixed 1,3-alternate conformation by condensation of TDI with lower rim calixcrown-5 and calixcrown-6 diols. However, the poor solubility in common organic solvents of the copolyether derivatives (Mw=11,100–11,600 g/mol) hampered further studies on their ionophoric properties. Aiming to obtain model compounds for the investigation of both extraction abilities and ionophoric properties of the polyurethane materials, several bis-urethanes were also synthesized by reaction of the calix[4]arene diols with p-tolylisocyanate (TI). The extraction ability measurements of monomeric and polymeric calix[4]arene urethanes (Mw=12,300–83,500 g/mol) towards alkali metal cations (Li+, Na+, K+, Rb+, Cs+) and Ag+showed a remarkable efficiency and selectivity of calixcrown-6 polyurethane toward Rb+, Cs+and Ag+.