Scavenger supports and the use thereof in a process for the extraction of metals

Abstract

There is provided a process for removing metal from solution wherein a solution comprising a metal is contacted with a scavenger support, whereby the scavenger support binds to at least some of the metal in solution thereby decreasing the amount of metal in solution, characterized in that the scavenger support comprises a functionalized support comprising pendant groups selected from 1,3-ketoesters or 1,3-ketoamides or mixtures thereof attached to a support wherein a number of the pendant groups are reacted with an amine. Scavenger supports comprising a functionalized support comprising pendant 1,3-ketoester or 1,3-ketoamide groups of formula 1: wherein Ris an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl, perhalogenated hydrocarbyl or heterocyclyl group; X is O or NR, wherein the free valence of O or NRis bonded to a support optionally via a linker; and Ris hydrogen, an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl, or heterocyclyl group, wherein a number of the pendant groups are reacted with an amine are also provided. Preferred scavenger supports include scavenger supports comprising pendant 3-iminoesters, 3-iminoamides, 2,3-enaminoesters or 2,3-enaminoamides pendant groups of Formula (3) or (4): wherein Ris an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl, perhalogenated hydrocarbyl or heterocyclyl group; X is O or NR, wherein the free valence of O or NRis bonded to a support optionally via a linker; Ris hydrogen, an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl, or heterocyclyl group; Ris a substituent group; and Ris hydrogen or a substituent group, or Rand Rmay optionally be linked in such a way so as to form an optionally substituted heterocyclic ring, or tautomers or salts thereof.