REMOVAL OF NITRITE IONS FROM AQUEOUS-SOLUTIONS BY CROSS-LINKED POLYMER OF ETHYLENEDIAMINE WITH EPICHLOROHYDRIN

We describe, for the first time, a polymeric sorbent which is specific for nitrite ions. We have demonstrated that an epoxy-amine resin obta ined by suspension polycondensation of ethylenediamine with epichloroh ydrin practically contains only secondary amino groups. The hydrochlor ide form of the resin is extremely efficient and highly selective in t he removal of nitrite ions from aqueous solutions, even in very low co ncentrations. Nitrite binding occurs through formation of N-nitroso gr oups. The nitrite-loaded resin can essentially be regenerated by conce ntrated acid solutions, without losing its reactivity. (C) 1998 Elsevi er Science B.V. All rights reserved.