Synthesis and metal sorption studies of p-tert-butylcalix[8]arene chemically bound to polymeric support

The synthesis of a new chelating resin, in which p-tert-butylcalix[8]arene is incorporated into a polymeric matrix (XAD-4), is reported. The resin was used for the sorption of some transition metal ions, uranium and thorium from aqueous solution. The optimum conditions (pH effect, breakthrough curves, capacity, equilibrium time) were determined for Cu(II), Fe(II), Zn(II), Ni(II), Co(II), Cd(II), Pb(II), Th(IV) and U(VI). The resin shows high selectivity for Th(IV) and U(VI), and their separation from other metal ions has been carried out effectively.