Metal–polymer complex catalysts on the base of polyethyleneimine for oxidation of sulfides

A number of metal–polymer complex catalysts on the base of cross-linked polyethyleneimine with copper or nickel ions were prepared using the principle of prearrangement of polymer to complexing metal ions. The investigation demonstrated a high activity of prearranged complexes of copper(II) in the oxidation of sulfide by oxygen under mild conditions compared to complexes with nickel(II) and cobalt(II). It has been shown that the activity of heterogeneous copper(II) containing polymer catalysts prearranged for copper(II) is comparable to the commercially employed water soluble cobalt(II) phthalocyanine tetrasulfonic acid.

Prearranged polymer metal complexes were prepared on the base of poly(ethyleneimine) and investigated as catalysts in the oxidation of sulfide. The prearranged polymer Cu(II) complexes exhibit catalytic activity comparable with the activity of the commercially employed cobalt(II) phthalocyanine tetrasulfonic acid. Polymer complexes of Ni(II) and Co(II) show a lower catalytic activity. The mechanism of the catalytic oxidation was discussed to explain the different behaviour of the polymer metal complexes. Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide