Selective Pd(II) and Pt(IV) sorption using novel polymers containing azamacrocycle functional groups

The synthesis of a new coordinating polymer containing nitrogen atoms by the copolymerization of a 15-membered triolefinic azamacrocycle, 9, named (E,E,E)-1-[(4-methylphenyl)sulfonyl]-6-[(2-trimethylsilylethyl)sulfonyl]-11-[(4-vinylphenyl)sulfonyl)]-1,6,11-triazacyclopentadeca-3,8,13-triene, with styrene is achieved. The novel polymeric material is characterized by means of elemental analysis, IR, 13C-CP MAS, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) techniques. We also report the study of palladium and platinum sorption from acidic solutions. A capacity of 0.36 mmol g−1 of polymer for Pd(II) and 0.28 mmol g−1 of polymer for Pt(IV) is determined by the batch-mode. The functionalised polymer presents a high selectivity towards precious metals over base metals such us Cu(II) and Ni(II).