Cation separation and preconcentration using columns containing cyclen and cyclen-resorcinarene derivatives.

The selectivity and separation of transition metal ions on two columns packed with cyclen-based macrocycles adsorbed onto 55% cross-linked styrene-divinylbenzene resin are presented. The N-cyclen and cyclen-resorcinarene stationary phases were made by adsorbing hydrophobically substituted N-cyclen or a cyclen-resorcinarene derivative (cyclenbowl) on the resin, respectively. The stability constants of cyclen with transition metal ions demonstrate that cyclen has selectivity for Cu²⁺ over other transition metal ions.