COMPLEXATION OF POLY-BIS-(3-SILSESQUIOXANYLPROPYL)AMINO-SULFOXIDE ANDPOLY-BIS-(3-SILSESQUIOXANYLPROPYL)AMINO-SULFONE WITH RARE-EARTH ELEMENTS

Polymers of silsequioxane structure, poly[bis-(3-silsesquioxanyl-propy lamino)]sulfoxide (IV) and -sulfone (V) have been prepared and examine d as complexation agents toward samarium(III) and thulium(III). Polyme r IV was an effective complexation agent toward both of these elements . However, polymer V was an effective complexation agent only toward t hulium(III) ions. The selective complexation of polymer V with thulium is not affected by the presence of excess amounts of lanthanum, ceriu m, neodymium, or samarium salt. This suggests that polymer V may prove to be useful in rare-earth element (REE) separation and isolation. Th e selective complexation of V with thulium(III) is also observed in th e presence of nickel(II), copper(II), or lead(II) salt.