| abstract |
New sulfur-containing ligands are disclosed for binding heavy metals. This ligand comprises a central ring structure and pendant alkyl-thiol chains. This ligand consists of the general structure (I) or (II). Wherein n is an integer from 1-4 and X is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, cesium and francium. The ligands of the present invention are suitable for binding any metal (eg, including cadmium, lead, nickel, zinc, mercury, copper, etc.) that may or may be in a positive oxidation state. In addition, a method of removing heavy metals from various materials is disclosed, which isolates selected heavy metals from selected materials by contacting the material with an effective amount of a novel sulfur-containing chelating ligand for a sufficient time to provide a stable and irreversible ligand- Forming a metal precipitate; and removing such a precipitate. |