The radiolytic behavior and mechanism of calixarene crown ether under γ-irradiation

Bis(2-propyloxy)calix4]crown-6 (BPC6) is an effective separation agent for cesium removing from spent nuclear fuel. The study on radiolytic behavior of BPC6 itself under γ-irradiation was required for evaluating its feasibility of practical application. It was found that BPC6 exhibited excellent radiation stability at dose less than 100 kGy. However, the isopropyl groups in BPC6 underwent oxidation and dealkylation to form carbonyl groups and phenolic hydroxyl groups at dose above 300 kGy, respectively. When the dose was more than 1000 kGy, the ring opening of crown ether structure of BPC6 resulted in the formation of phenolic hydroxyl groups as well. The formation of radiolytic products containing phenolic hydroxyl groups during the irradiation of BPC was confirmed by using FeCl₃ as a probe. Combining with the radiolytic behavior of two model chemicals (1-isopropoxybenzene and benzo-18-crown-6 ether), the radiolytic behavior and mechanism of BPC6 under γ-irradiation was testified further.