Synthesis and binding studies of novel thiacalixpodands and bisthiacalixarenes having O,O″-dialkylated thiacalix[4]arene unit(s) of 1,3-alternate conformation

A series of thiacalixpodands and bisthiacalixarenes with imine units have been prepared by condensation of O,O″-bis(2-aminoethyl)-O′,O‴-dipropyl-p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene of 1,3-alternate conformation with different aromatic (di)aldehydes. The molecules derived from pyridine-2-carbaldehyde and -2,6-dicarbaldehyde quantitatively extract silver ion from aqueous into organic phase with complete selectivity over other metal ions (Na⁺, K⁺ and Cs⁺) under neutral conditions. The former compound forms a 1:2 (L:M) complex with silver ion as proved by NMR spectroscopy, Job's plot and X-ray crystallography.