METHACRYLATE ANION-EXCHANGERS WITH ENHANCED AFFINITY FOR NITRATES

A series of quaternary ammonium methacrylate anion-exchange resins wer e prepared by reaction of macroporous 2,3-epoxypropyl methacrylate-eth ylene dimethacrylate copolymer with the appropriate tertiary amine hyd rochloride or by the two-step reaction with dialkylamines followed by N-alkylation, These resins and a strongly basic anion exchanger of the styrene-divinylbenzene type (Dowex 1-X8) were then evaluated to deter mine their selectivities for Cl-, NO3- and SO42-anions. It was observe d that chemical structure of the ion-exchange group is the most import ant factor in the NO3--SO42- selectivity. Ion chromatographic data wer e compared with practical column operations.