A useful approach towards solid–liquid extraction of metal cations with unsupported calixarenes

This article describes a convenient and effective method to study the extraction properties of unsupported calixarenes used as solid extracting agents. The solid–liquid extraction properties of different functionalized calixarene derivatives were studied. This method was compared to classic liquid–liquid extractions. The reproducibility of the solid–liquid extractions was studied among with the calixarene recycling. Results obtained for Cu2+, Cd2+and Pb2+extractions using both methods have revealed the interest to use calixarenes as solid extracting agents. Moreover, a study of selective extraction has been carried out.