Synthesis of Chelating Polymers via RAFT for Metal Extraction
Abstract
Heavy metal contamination in drinking water is known to cause damage to multiple organs and is one of the major causes of cancer. The presence of heavy metals in water has the ability to cause lifethreatening conditions. The purpose of our study is to synthesize metal binding polymers and to determine their efficiency at extracting heavy metals from contaminated water. Poly pentafluorophenyl acrylate (PPFPA) was synthesized via the employment of reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization using pentafluorophenyl acrylate (PFPA) as the monomer to create linear and hyperbranched polymers. RAFT polymerization allows control over molecular weight and the molecular architecture of PPFPA. Qualitative data obtained from H-NMR and F-NMR was utilized to assess monomer purity, polymer conversion, and confirm the structure of the final polymer. PPFPA is a modular polymer that is capable of being functionalized with metal binding groups. PPPFA polymers were reacted with different metal binding group nucleophiles to functionalize the polymer. A selection of mono-, bi- and tridentate metal binding groups was synthesized to functionalize PPFPA for the extraction of heavy metals from contaminated water. Effective functionalization of the final polymers was confirmed by NMR spectroscopy.
Faculty Sponsors
Dr. Patricia Calvo
Project Type
Event
Location
Alvin Sherman Library
Start Date
4-6-2022 12:00 PM
End Date
4-7-2022 5:00 PM
Synthesis of Chelating Polymers via RAFT for Metal Extraction
Alvin Sherman Library
Heavy metal contamination in drinking water is known to cause damage to multiple organs and is one of the major causes of cancer. The presence of heavy metals in water has the ability to cause lifethreatening conditions. The purpose of our study is to synthesize metal binding polymers and to determine their efficiency at extracting heavy metals from contaminated water. Poly pentafluorophenyl acrylate (PPFPA) was synthesized via the employment of reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization using pentafluorophenyl acrylate (PFPA) as the monomer to create linear and hyperbranched polymers. RAFT polymerization allows control over molecular weight and the molecular architecture of PPFPA. Qualitative data obtained from H-NMR and F-NMR was utilized to assess monomer purity, polymer conversion, and confirm the structure of the final polymer. PPFPA is a modular polymer that is capable of being functionalized with metal binding groups. PPPFA polymers were reacted with different metal binding group nucleophiles to functionalize the polymer. A selection of mono-, bi- and tridentate metal binding groups was synthesized to functionalize PPFPA for the extraction of heavy metals from contaminated water. Effective functionalization of the final polymers was confirmed by NMR spectroscopy.
