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A recyclable mercury(ii) selective dimer based on a calix[4]pyrrole derivative has been synthesised and characterised by mass and FT-IR spectrometry, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX). Information regarding the ability of the dimer to interact with metal cations was obtained from FTIR and SEM-EDX analyses. A striking feature of micrographs of the loaded dimer is the change of morphology with the cation. Based on these results, optimal conditions for removing cations from water were assessed under different experimental conditions. Results obtained demonstrate that the removal process is fast. Capacity values and selectivity factors show that the dimer is selective for Hg(ii) in single and multiple component metal solutions relative to other cations. Single-ion transfer Gibbs energies from water to a solvent containing common functionalities to those of the dimer were used to assess the counter-ion effect on the removal process. Agreement is found between these data and energy calculations derived from molecular simulation studies. Studies on polluted water in the presence of normal water components in addition to toxic metal cations are reported. Further experimental work on wastewater from the mining industry is in progress., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest to declare, (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

Birnessite nanotubes and activated carbon electrodes have been used in supercapacitor cells to assess the performance of new aqueous based electrolyte systems at temperatures as low as -30 °C. The addition of ethylene glycol to aqueous sodium, lithium, potassium and ammonium sulfates has resulted in electrolytes that are still in liquid phase at such low temperatures. Extensive electrochemical testing showed that in such systems, operation of these aqueous based supercapacitors is possible at -30 °C with a specific capacitance of over 30 F g(-1) and good cycleability.

Following the synthesis and characterization of meso-tetramethyl tetrakis (4-phenoxy acetone) calix[4]pyrrole, 1, the solution properties of this receptor in various solvents were investigated. Particular emphasis is placed on the selection of the solvent in assessing thermodynamic selectivity in ion complexation studies involving calixpyrrole receptors. Thus, statements recently made in the literature are addressed.The interaction of 1 with anions and cations was assessed through (1)H NMR in CD(3)CN at 298 K. Among anions, significant chemical shift changes were observed in the pyrrolic protons by the addition of halide salts to 1 in the deuterated solvent. The sequence observed in the Deltadelta values is that observed in the transfer Gibbs energies of these anions from a dipolar aprotic (acetonitrile) to a protic medium (representative of 1) based on the Ph(4)AsPh(4)B convention. As far as metal cations in CD(3)CN are concerned, the most significant changes are observed (relative to those of the ligand) in the protons of the phenoxy acetone functionality upon the addition of the mercury(ii) salt to 1. Conductance measurements reveal the formation of 1 : 1 complexes with these ions. Thermodynamic data derived from titration calorimetry are reported and compared with available data for analogous ligands. A quantitative evaluation of the thermodynamic stability was carried out. The applications of these ligands as anchor groups in oligomeric frameworks are discussed. Final conclusions are given.