Use of Cyclodextrins for the Recognition of a Highly Toxic and Explosive Environment: A Study Based on Partial Molar Volumes, Compressibilities and Spectroscopic Techniques

The aim of this work was to find an alternative method for the isolation and inactivation of 4-nitrophenol in aqueous solution by complexing it with cyclodextrins. For that, the inclusion complex between cyclodextrins and 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) was investigated using UV-Visible and 1H-NMR spectroscopies. These results allowed us to observe the existence of a strong interaction between (4-NP) and 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (2-HP-β-CD). Moreover, other specific properties of this complex in solution were also analysed. Thus, apparent partial molar volumes, apparent partial molar adiabatic compressibilities, partial molar volumes of transfer and interaction and intrinsic volumes were determined, allowing to evaluate the characteristics of the complex formed.