Self-Coextraction of Sodium Ions with Calix[4]arene Tetracarboxylate

Solvent extraction of sodium ions with p-t-octylcalix[4]arene tetracarboxylate from an aqueous solution containing sodium ions (0.1 mol dm−3) into chloroform was investigated. It was found that two sodium ions are simultaneously extracted by a single molecule of the extractant and that extraction of the second sodium ion is facilitated by the complexation of the first with the calix[4]arene derivative. The extraction behavior of sodium ions strongly supports the coextraction mechanism of sodium and another metal ion with calix[4]arene tetracarboxylate.