Polymer supported amino bis-(cis-propan 2,3 diol) functions for removal of trace boron from water

Reaction of diallylamine with crosslinked terpolymer beads of glycidyl metacrylate-methyl methacrylate-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate yields corresponding polymers with diallylamino functions (2.4 mmol g−1). Cis-dihydroxylation of the allyl groups with hydrogen peroxide, in presence of OsO4 catalyst yields polymer supported amino-bis(cis-propane 2,3-diol) functions with 81.7% of conversion yields. The resulting polymer resin having vicinal cis-diol functions is a high capacity (1.77 mmol g−1) boron-specific sorbent and useful for extraction of of trace boric acid (105.1 ppm) from aqueous solutions in about 20 min.