CROSS-LINKED POLYSTYRENE-SUPPORTED DITHIOCARBAMATES AS METAL COMPLEXING AGENTS

Dithiocarbamate functions were introduced into divinylbenzene (DVB)-cr osslinked polystyrene matrices in different structural environments an d their complexation behaviour with various metal ions was investigate d. The reactions involved introduction of the amino functionality into the polystyrene matrix through a number of different heterogeneous am ination procedures. These aminopolystyrene derivatives which contain t he amino functions in different steric environments were converted to the respective dithiocarbamates by reaction with carbondisulphide in t he presence of alkali. The metal complexing ability of the resulting i nsoluble polystyrene-dithiocarbamates was investigated towards Fe(III) , Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) ions. The structural factors characteristi c of the polymer matrix like the molecular character and extent of cro sslinking were found to exert influence on the metal complexing abilit y. The spectral characterization and the relative thermal stabilities of the complexes were also investigated.