Transition metal complexes of polymeric amino ligands derived from triethyleneglycol dimethacrylate crosslinked polyacrylamides

Amino functions were incorporated into triethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA)-crosslinked (2–20 mol %) polyacrylamides by transamidation with ethylenediamine. The complexation of these polymeric ligands with the amino function in different structural environments was investigated toward Cr(III), Mn(II), Fe(III), Cu(II), Cd(II), and Pb(II) ions. The metal ion intake decreased with the extent of the crosslinking and followed the order Cu(II)>Cr(II)>Mn(II)>Fe(III)>Pb(II)>Cd(II). The pH dependence of complexation and distribution coefficient; time course and kinetics of complexation; swelling properties of the uncomplexed and complexed resins in water; recyclability; infrared (IR) spectra; electron paramagnetic resonance; ultraviolet visibility; magnetic susceptibility; and thermogravimetric and scanning electron microscopy studies were carried out. The kinetics of complexation was found to be first order. The swelling of the complexed resins is lower than that of the uncomplexed resins. Complexation resulted in the lowering of the IR absorption of the amino ligands. The IR data of the TEGDMA-crosslinked polyacrylamide amine and the corresponding Cr(III) complex reveals that the metal is coordinated with the ligand through the amino nitrogen. The SO=4 is also coordinated. The number of coordinated nitrogen atoms varies as the hydrophilicity and flexibility of the polymer change with the crosslinking. Thus spectral and magnetic studies suggest a distorted octahedral geometry for Cu(II) complexes, octahedral geometry of the d3 system for Cr(III), and d5 high-spin octahedral geometry for Fe(III) and Mn(II) complexes. The thermal stabilities of the complexed resins increase with increase in the metal content. Surface morphology of the polymeric ligand changes on complexation