Synthesis and characterization of Aza222-based polymers for the removal of mercury from aqueous solutions

Polymeric materials for mercury complexation have been prepared by cross-linking 1,4,7,10,13,16,21,24-octaazabicyclo[8.8.8]hexacosane (H6Aza222) with α,α′-dichloro-p-xylene and other multidentate electrophiles. Bulk and microporous p-xylylene-Aza222 were shown to be effective at binding divalent mercury cations from aqueous solutions of HgCl2 or Na2HgI4. The complexants were regenerable using solutions of HCl or Na2S.