Calixsalens, which are vase-like structures with a salen unit at each of their triangular vertices, have unique properties that make them potential candidates for separation. However, the use of calixsalens for separation had not previously been studied. In this work, we synthesized two calixsalen derivatives using the concept of dynamic covalent bond formation (imine).1H NMR, 13C NMR, mass spectrometry and Single Crystal X-ray Diffraction (SCXRD) confirmed the successful formation of [3+3] macrocycles. We investigated the selective adsorption of hexane isomers by the calixsalens. 1H NMR and gas chromatography analyses showed that calixsalen is more selective towards branched hexane isomers (3-methylpenaten, 2-methylpentane, 2,2-dimethylbutane, and 2,3-diethylbutane) compared to n-hexane. Treatment of these macrocycles with different types of metal ions transformed their conformations from [3+3] to [2+2] macrocyclic metal complexes, which was confirmed by SCXRD. The calixsalen metal complexes were preliminary tested for Styrene/Ethylbenzene separation.
| Date of Award | Jun 2021 |
|---|
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|
| Awarding Institution | - Physical Sciences and Engineering
|
|---|
| Supervisor | Niveen Khashab (Supervisor) |
|---|
- Calixsalen
- Porous Material
- Separation