FROM MOLECULES TO ELECTROLYTES - ELECTROCHEMICAL AND THERMODYNAMIC ASPECTS OF THE INTERACTION OF PHENOL AND RESORCINOL BASED CALIXARENES WITH AMINES

An important consequence of the interaction of calix(n)arenes and amines is the generation of new electrolytes resulting from proton transfer reactions from the calix(n)arene molecule to the amine. A brief account on the contributions made in this area is presented. This is followed by recent electrochemical (conductimetric and potentiometric) and thermodynamic studies on the interaction of a phenol-based-calixarene and amines in non-aqueous media. The thermodynamics of extraction of amines by p-tert butyl calix(8)arene in the water-benzonitrile solvent system is discussed taking into account the parameters which contribute to the overall process. The results obtained from conductimetric and spectrophotometric studies on the interaction of a resorcinol-based calixarene and amines are presented.