Synthesis and lead(II) sorption of silica gel-immobilized, di-ionizable calix[4]arenes

Di-ionizable calix[4]arenes with two lower-rim N-(X)sulfonyl carboxamide groups were covalently linked to silica gel via a single attachment on the upper rim. Both the acidity of the ionizable groups (X group variation) and the length of the spacer that joins the ligands to the silica gel matrix were varied. Preliminary evaluation of these new ion-exchange resins for sorption of lead(II) from aqueous solutions was conducted.