SYNTHESIS AND PROPERTIES OF POLY(HYDROXAMIC ACID) FROM CROSS-LINKED POLY(METHACRYLATE)

Poly(hydroxamic acid) chelating ion-exchange resin was prepared from c rosslinked poly(methacrylate) beads. The starting polymer was prepared by a suspension polymerization of methacrylate and divinyl benzene. C onversion of the ester groups into the hydroxamic acid was carried out by treatment with hydroxylamine in an alkaline solution. Hydroxamic a cid capacity of the product was 2.71 mmol/g. The resin exhibited high affinity towards Fe(III) and Pb ions and its capacities for Fe(III), P b, Cu, Ni and Co ions were pH dependent. The ability of the resin to c arry out the separation of Fe(III)-Cu-Co/Ni and Pb-Ni ions is also rep orted.