STUDIES OF COLLECTORS .13. THE SELECTIVE FLOTATION OF CESIUM ION WITH RESORCINOL-TYPE CALIX[4]ARENES WITH ALKYL SIDE-CHAINS

The resorcinol-type calix[4]arenes with alkyl side chains, [4]Ar-R(n), were prepared and then investigated as flotation collectors of Cs+. Alkali metal ions (Na+, K+, Rb+, and Cs+) were extracted in the pH range of 9.5-12.5 with [4]Ar-R(n). Moreover, the surface-active [4]Ar-R(n) had competence to float Cs+ as a complex in a foam film (adsorbates) when short-chain [4]Ar-R(n) (n=4-8) were used for foam fractionation, and as scum when long-chain [4]Ar-R(n) (n=8-16) were used for ion flotation. The Cs+ was floated selectively with [4]Ar-R(n) from a mixture of Na+, K+, Rb+, and Cs+, due to the strong binding to Cs+.