Co-ordination Chemistry of Vinylpyridine Polymers

Abstract

Preparations of polymeric derivatives of 4-Vinylpyridine, in finely divided from, using 'suspension l polymerisation methods are described. These products have formed the basis of experiments dealing in a quantitative manner with reaction and absorption of first row transition metal ions from solution by the macromolecular ligands. The possibility that these polymers may selectively absorb some ions is investigated and some comparative experiments are described. The results of variation in reaction conditions are reported. In particular, attention is focussed on reaction of mixtures of Cobalt (II), Nickel (II) and Copper (II) with the polymers. The possibility that pH and anion dependance occurs in these reactions is considered. The structures of the metal ion containing polymeric products from the absorption experiments have been investigated using electron spin resonance, nuclear magnetic measurements and elemental analyses. The results have been compared with those for analogues prepared from the monomer (4-vinylpyridine) and from the polymers (poly(4-vinylpyridine) and poly(4-vinylpyridine-N-oxide)) by reaction in solution. A novel approach to preparation of selective polymers, which may have wider application, is described for poly(4-vinylpyridine).