Evaluation of the Capture of Metal Ions byCross-Linked Poly(vinylcatechol)

Abstract

A cross-linked poly(vinylcatechol) was prepared by a suspension copolymerization of 5-vinyl-1,3-benzodioxol (1) with divinylbenzene (a), 1,2-bis(4-vinylphenyl)ethane (b), or 1,4-bis(4-vinylphenyl)butane(c) and the successive ring-opening of the acetals with boron tribromide/dimethylsulfide. Thecross-linked poly(vinylcatechol)s 3a-c showed good swelling in DMF, methanol, ethanol, and THF.Their capture abilities towards metal ions in organic solvents were investigated. The sorption ofCu²⁺,Ni²⁺,Co²⁺,Zn²⁺, Fe³⁺, and Pd²⁺with 6 equiv of cross-linked poly(vinylcatechol)s 3a-c were carriedout in methanol and DMF.In methanol the cross-linked polymers: 3a-c showed more than 80％ of the capture ratios for Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺,Co²⁺, and Zn²⁺ except for Ni²⁺ with 3c. For Fe³⁺, 3a-c showed under 15％. In DMF the crosslinkedpolymers: 3a-c showed around 90％ of the capture ratios for Cu²⁺,Ni²⁺,Co²⁺, and Zn²⁺. ForPd²⁺, 3a-c showed about 70％ and for Fe³⁺ 3a, 3b, and 3c showed 13％, 28％, and 57％ of the capture ratio,respectively.The prepared cross-linked polymers: 3a-c showed enough capacity for Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Co²⁺, Zn²⁺, andPd²⁺, whereas for Fe³⁺ they show poor capacity in both solvents.