SYNERGISTIC COMPLEXATION OF METAL-IONS WITH BIFUNCTIONAL INTERPENETRATING POLYMER NETWORKS

A vinylpyridine/acrylic acid bifunctional interpenetrating polymer net work (IPN) has been synthesized and evaluated for application in metal ion separations. Monofunctional vinylpyridine and acrylic acid IPNs w ere also synthesized and differences between the distribution coeffici ents of the three systems were used as an indication of whether an enh anced (i.e., synergistic) complexation of metal ions was occurring in the bifunctional polymer. Important effects atrtributable to the combi ned action of the two functionalities in the same polymer are observed . Complexation of Eu(III), a hard Lewis acidm by the bifunctional poly mer is inhibited by hydrogen bonding between the two ligands. Borderli ne Lewis acids are complexed with high efficiency and evidence for a s ynergistic effect is presented.