Chemical modification of polysulfone: anionic synthesis of dipyridyl functionalized polysulfone

A new method for the synthesis of dipyridyl functionalized polysulfone is d escribed. The functionalization process involves the formation of lithiated polysulfone from polysulfone (1) and subsequent reaction with 2,2'-vinylid enedipyridine (2) in tetrahydrofuran at -78 degrees C under argon atmospher e. The dipyridyl functionalized polysulfone (3) was evaluated for the chela tion of trace heavy metal ions such as copper and nickel in aqueous medium. The dipyridyl functionalized polysulfone shows better complexing affinity for nickel ions at specific concentrations of test solutions. Quaternizatio n reactions of dipyridyl functionalized polysulfone with dimethyl sulfate i n the presence of perchloric acid quantitatively affords the corresponding polymeric pyridinium perchlorate derivative (4). (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.