SYNTHESIS, APPLICATION AND BIODEGRADATION OF A CHROMIUM AZOMETHINE DYE

The synthesis of the chromium complex of 2-(2-pyridylmethyleneamino)-p henol is described. The results of elemental analysis, IR and mass spe ctrometry indicated that the metal-to-ligand ratio of the complex was 1:2. The solution properties of the complex in methanol/water (volume ratio, CH3OH, H2O=0.1) at constant temperature (t 25 +/- 1 degrees C) and different pHs (4,6,8 and 10) were determined spectrophotometricall y. It was found that the stoichiometry of the complex in solution was the same as in the solid state, i.e. ML(2). The chromium dye was used for wool dyeing and studies were made for the estimation of the stabil ity of the bonding between the dye and wool at pH 4.5 and 5.5. The pos sibility of biodegradation of the chromium azomethine dye was investig ated using mixed bacterial culture isolated from leather tanning waste water. Experiments carried out in submerged culture at pH 7.2 in two different culture media with c (dye) = 0.35mM showed satisfactory deco loration of the solution.