Inventors: Tarbet, Bryon J.; Bradshaw, Jerald S.; Krakowiak, Krzysztof E.; Izatt, Reed M.; Bruening, Ronald L.;
Assignee: Brigham Young University (Provo, UT)
Primary Examiner: Bond; Robert T.
Assistant Examiner:
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Crellin; Terry M.
A method is disclosed for the quantitative removal and concentration of desired transition metal ions from a source solution which may contain larger concentrations of other metal and H.sup.+ ions. The method comprises bringing the source solution into contact with a compound comprising a pyridine containing ligand covalently bonded through an organic spacer silicon grouping to a solid inorganic support. The pyridine portion(s) of the compound has an affinity for the desired metal ions to form a complex thereby removing the desired metal ions from the source solution. The desired metal ions are removed from the compound by contacting the compound with a much smaller volume of a receiving solution having a greater affinity for the desired metal ions than does the pyridine ligand portion of the compound. The concentrated metal ions thus removed may be recovered by known methods. The process is useful in removing unwanted metal ions from water streams and in the treatment of waste streams such as those containing metal ions from emulsions found in the treatment of photographic and x-ray films. The invention is also drawn to novel intermediates comprising pyridine containing ligands covalently bonded through a spacer grouping to a silane and to the final compounds formed by reacting the intermediates with a hydrophilic inorganic solid support material. |
Liquid Purification 
