PROBING THE STRUCTURES OF REDOX POLYMERS

Insoluble, macroporous styrene-divinylbenzene copolymers bearing funct ional groups of two general types were synthesized. Oxidizing function al groups include N-halosulfonamides and N-alkyl-N-halosulfonamides. B oth of these subtypes can disinfect water and perform oxidations expec ted of positive halogen. Methods for analyzing the active halogen cont ent are discussed. The reducing functional groups include mercapto and sulfonylhydrazine. The thiolated polymers can remove heavy metals fro m water while the sulfonylhydrazine polymers can combine with carbonyl compounds and serve as a source of diimine. The sulfonylhydrazine gro up is readily quantified by oxidizing it with hypochlorite. Analysis o f the mercapto group content presents some difficulties owing to the i nability of all the SH groups to form disulfide linkages in highly cro sslinked polymers. Alternative methods of analysis are presented.